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HE CHILD'S ''/ ^ 



HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 



DESIGNED AS A 



FIRST BOOK OF HISTORY 



FOR SCHOOLS. 



ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROUS ANECDOTES. 




BOSTON : 

PUBLISHED BY CARTER, HENDEE, AND BABCOCK. 

1S31. 



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Lancaster ^xtBsi 

Carter, Andrews, & Co, Engravers, Printers and Binders. 



PREFACE. 

In presenting this little volume to the public, the 
author is not aware that he treads on ground at present 
occupied by any one. He indeed knows that several 
Histories of the United States for schools are in circu- 
lation ; but they are obviously of a more elaborate cha- 
racter than the one here offered, and were designed for 
pupils of a more advanced standing. This is for begin- 
ners, and only for them. 

The simplicity of the plan renders unnecessary any 
directions as to the manner in which the book is to be 
taught or studied. 

Should any curiosity exist among little folks as to the 
author, he has only to say, at present, that he is not a 
stranger to them. He has laboured for their instruction 
and amusement ; and nothing will delight him more than 
to learn that this little volume, on the history of their 
own country, contributes in any degree to make them 
useful and happy. 



CONTENTS 



I. Discovery of America by Columbus 

Story — Voyage of Columbus . . • • 

II. Settlement of Jamestown by the English 

Story — Captain John Smith .... 

III. Indians 

Story— Captain John Smith and Pocahantas 

IV. Settlement of Plymouth .... 
Story— John Goodman and Peter Brown . 

V. Other settlements 

Story — John Holmes . . . • • 

VI. Early Indian Wars— Pequot War— Philip's War 

Story — Canonchet and Philip . . . • 

VII. King William's War 

Story— Mrs. Dustan . . . . • 

VIII. Queen Anne's War 

Story — Mr. Williams . . . • • 

IX. French and Indian War .... 

Story — Capture of Quebec .... 

X. War of the Revolution— Stamp Act 

Story — Proceedings in Boston .... 

XI. War of the Revolution— Destruction of Tea . 

Story — Proceedings in relation to the Tea 

XII. War of the Revolution— Battle of Lexington 

Story— Mr. Wheeler's Yankee Wisdom . 



^' CONTENTS. 

Lesson. 

XIII. War of the Revolution—Bunker Hill— Wash- ^'^'" 
ington — Independence .... 69 

Story— Proceedings about Independence . . ' 72 

XIV. War of the Revolution— Retreat of Washing^ 
ton-Battle of Trenton— Brandy wine-Germantown 74 

Story— Lydia Darrah .... 77 

XV. War of the Revolution— Battle of Saratoga- 
Monmouth — Burning of Fairfield ... 81 

Story— Putnam— Washington ... 

XVI. War of the Revolution— Battle of Camden 
French Fleet — Arnold's conspiracy ... 87 

Story— Arnold, Andre, and Champe 

XVII. War of the Revolution— Yorktown— New 
London — Peace .... 

Story— Farewell of Washington to his army . . .97 

XVIII. Federal Constitution— Washington,President 99 

Story— The Irishman's visit to Washington . . .101 

XIX. John Adams President .... 104 

Story— President Adams' Courage and Humanity . . 106 

XX. Thomas Jefferson, President . . . no 
Story— Lieutenant Decatur— Death of Mr. Jefferson and Adams 115 

XXI. James Madison, President— War with England 120 

Story— The English Midshipman . . . / jgS 

XXII. James Monroe, President . . . 130 

Story— Battle of Trenton I33 

XXIII. John Quincy Adams, President . . 1, , 

Story— The cheated Indian ..... 1 



83 

^7 

89 

95 

97 

99 

101 



THE UNITED STATES 



FOR CHILDREN 




Coli;n»bus !i-:i_:;in; 



LESSON I. 

AMERICA DISCOVERED BY COLUMBUS. 

1. America was discovered in the year 
1492, by Christopher Columbus. Columbus 
was born in Italy. He first w^ent to sea when 
he w^as fourteen years of age. He was forty- 
five when he discovered America. 

B 



child's history 



2. He sailed from a place in Spain, called 
Palos, Palos lies exactly east from James- 
town, in Virginia. Columbus came to America 
with three vessels. They were small vessels. 
They were called the Santa Maria, and Pinta, 
and the Nigna. 

3. The ocean which Columbus crossed was 
the Atlantic. This is three thousand miles 
wide. No one had crossed this ocean before. 
He was two months in performing the voyage. 

4. The land which he first saw was an 
island. He found it inhabited by Indians. The 
Indians called it Gu-a-na-ha-na, Columbus 
gave it the name of San Salvador, It is one of 
the West-India Islands called Bahamas. In the 
maps of the present day it is called Cat Island, 

5. After this, Columbus made several other 
voyages. In 1498, he discovered the conti- 
nent itself. Columbus died in 1506, when he 
was fifty-eight years old. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. O 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When was America discovered ? By whom ? Where was Colum- 
bus born ? At what age did he first go to sea ? How old was he when 
he first discovered America ? 

2. What country did he sail from ? From what place ? Which way 
does Palos lie from Jamestown ? How many vessels had Columbus ? 
Were they large or small vessels ? What were their names ? 

3. What ocean did Columbus cross ? How wide is this ocean ? Had 
any one crossed it before ? How long did it take to perform the voyage ? 

4.. What was the land which Columbus first saw? Who inhabited it ? 
What did the Indians call the island ? What name is given to it in the 
maps of the present day ? 

5. Did Columbus make other voyages ? When did he discover the 
continent itself? In what year did he die ? How old was he ^ 



STORY. 

1. Now that you know the first lesson, I will tell you a 
story. You have learned how Columbus discovered Ame- 
rica. Before his time, the people in other countries knew 
not that there was any such land as America. 

2. How, then, should Columbus hnoio that there was 
any such land : he did not know. But he thought there 
might be ; and he told his thoughts to some of the great 
men in Europe, but they paid little attention to him. 

3. At length, he went into Spain, and the king and 
queen of that country treated him more kindly ; and it 
was they who paid for the vessels in which Columbus 
sailed on his voyage of discovery. 



4 child's HISTORl 

4. Tliis was a bold plan. No vessel had as yet crossed 
the wide Atlantic ; but Columbus was brave, and his men 
were brave also. 

5. For sixty days they sailed directly west, but they 
c^uld not discover any land. And now the sailors became 
alarmed. They trembled to think of the distance they 
had sailed ; and were fearful they might never return. 
The heart of Columbus alone remained firm. But he 
promised to return, if in three days land should not be 
discovered. 

G. The evening of the third day came. It grew dark. 
No land was in sight. Columbus walked the deck. He 
felt anxious. Presently, he heard a shout from on board 
the Pinta. What could it mean ? A still louder shout 
he soon heard. The cry was " land 1 land !" 

7. The heart of Columbus beat with joy, and the sailors 
wept for joy; and when the morning came, the land was 
in full view before them. Columbus assembled his men 
around him, and with them returned thanks to God ; and 
then they sung a hymn of praise. 

8. After this Columbus landed on the island. The in- 
habitants were Indians ; they had never seen a white man 
before ; they were surprised to see Columbus, but they 
were astonished at the sight of his vessels, and at the fire 
and thunder of the cannon. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. ^ 

9. When Columbus had sufficiently examined the 
country, he set sail to return. But a storm came on, and 
the waves of the ocean rose like mountains. The masts 
trembled ; the sails were torn ; and all was given up for 

lost. 

10. The little vessels, however, struggled through the 
waves. They mounted aloft where they stood, for a mo- 
ment—then they plunged— and then again they arose. 
At length, the tempest ceased. God had preserved them. 
And now they went on their way ; and after sailing for 
many days and weeks, they arrived safely in Spain, and 
there they told of the nc20 loorld which they had discovered. 




child's history 




mith on an Island, p. 10. 



LESSON II. 

JAMESTOWN SETTLED BY THE ENGLISH. 

1. America was now discovered, and the 
news spread far and wide. Vessels were fitted 
out, and many daring men came to make fur- 
tlier discoveries. One who came was called 
A-mer-i-cus Ves-pu-cius. He did not discover 
much, but he told so fine a story, that America 
was called after him. It should have been 
called after Columbus. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. '7 

2. Another who came was John Cabot. He 
sailed from England. He discovered North- 
America in which we live. This was in 149 / . 

3. Many years after this, some people from 
England came over to settle in America. They 
consisted of one hundred and five persons. 
They were four months on the water, and then- 
voyage was very unpleasant. 

4. On reaching America they entered Che- 
sapeake Bay, and sailing up James River about 
thirty-two miles, they found a beautiful spot 
on its banks, where they concluded to settle. 
This they called Jamestown. 

5. The country then was all a wilderness. 
There were no houses, nor roads, nor bridges, 
as at the present day ; and the only houses 
which the English had to live in for a long 
time, were built of logs. 

6. For a time, they had plenty of provisions, 
which they brought with them. But when 



S child's history 

these were gone, they suffered much, and were 
often near starving. Then they were obliged 
to hve on fish, and acorns, and roots, and a lit- 
tle corn, which the Indians gave them. 

7. Their sufferings were often great. Some- 
times they were in want. Sometimes many 
were sick, and many died. And then, again, 
the Indians threatened to kill them. But, after 
a time, other vessels came from England, and 
brought more people, and supplies of food. 

QUESTIOKS. 
caiedT' "'^°'" ""' """"'' '=»"'=<' ' After whom should U have beeu 



A \ii7u 4. u i- 1 , -'"■6^ • ''''as me voyage pleasant ? 

thfy li^e' nT' "'' ^PP^^^^"^^ ^^ the country ? What kind of houses did 
what drdTh^^'d'o ?"*' '^' '^^^ '''' • ^^^" th-r provisions were gone. 
relL^'ei?/^'^'"^''"^"'^- ^>o«^ what did they suffer ? How were they 



OF THE UNITED STATES. ^ 

STORY. 

1 Now I will tell you another story. You have learned 
how many years after America was discovered, some 
people from England came over to settle in the country. 
Amoncr those who came in the first vessel, was Captain 
John Smith ; and it is about his adventures I am gomg 

to tell you. 

2. Captain Smith was born in England. When quite 
young, he lost his father ; and having no one to take care 
of him but his mother, he became wild and disobedient. 

3 After a time, he was placed with a merchant, by 
whom he was treated kindly. But his conduct was very 
improper ; and at length he ran away. 

4. He had but little money with him. With this money 
he travelled towards France. He had heard of Paris, a 
beautiful city of France, and he wished to see it. 

5. At length, he reached that city, and admired it 
much. The houses, which he saw, were very high and 
beautiful; but he was better pleased with the shows, 
of which the French people are very fond. In one place, 
he saw some wild animals, lions, tigers, elephants, and 
monkeys. In another place, he saw a man dancing on a 
rope ; and not far distant, people riding very swiftly in a 
place called a circus. One man was standing upright on 



10 child's history 

a horse, under full gallop ; and another with one foot on 
one horse, and the other foot on another horse. 

6. When Smith had seen enough of France, he went to 
Holland, where the Dutch live. Here he became a sol- 
dier ; but not liking this kind of life, one dark night he de- 
serted. It was well that he escaped. Had he be^'en taken, 
he would have been shot ; and here, then, we should have 
ended our story. 

7. After this he made a voyage to Italy. On board the 
vessel in which he sailed, there were several passeno-ers 
besides himself One day young Smith treated some of 
these quite rudely ; upon which, they threw him over- 
board into the sea. He sunk deep; but being a good 
swimmer, he was soon on the top of the waves, and at 
length reached an island, from which he was taken by 
some people belonging to another vessel, and carried to 
Italy. 

8. When he had seen Italy, he went into Austria, where 
he again enlisted as a soldier, and went forth to fight the 
Turks. One day, a Turkish horseman sent a chdlenge 
to him to come and fight. Smith and the Turk fought on 
horseback, and with a kind of sword, called a °sahre. 
Smith killed the Turk ; and after him two others. 

9. After this, in a battle, he was taken prisoner and sold 
as a slave, and was carried many hundred miles far to the 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 



11 



'east. Here he was loaded with chains, and now became 
very miserable. No wonder he 2cas miserable. Persons 
who conduct themselves so improperly as he did, must ex- 
pect to suffer. God approves not of wicked conduct ; nor 
will he bless those who are guilty of it. 

10. After a long time, Captain Smith made his escape, 
and returned to England. He had seen much, and suffered 
more. His misfortunes had done him good ; and after 
this he proved a useful man. 

11. Soon after his return to England, he was invited to 
accompany the first settlers to America. This invitation 
he accepted, and accordingly came over, assisted in build- 
ing Jamestown, and in America proved very useful. 

"1.3. I have something further to relate about Captain 
Smith. This I shall do in my next story. But, before 
reading that story, be careful to learn the next lesson. 
When°/was a boy, it used to be told me, "work first- 
then play." In like manner I would say, to all my little 
pupils, *' learn the lesson first— then read the story." 




12 



child's history 




ruCdluiutiiB saung the life of Capt. Simth. p. 17. 

LESSON III. 

IIVDIANS. 

1. Soon after the English had come to Ame- 
rica, thej found that the whole land was filled 
with Indians. Their number was about one 
hundred and fiftj thousand, in the present limits 
of the United States. 

2. How long the Indians had been in Ame- 
rica is not known. It is supposed thej came 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 



13 



from Asia, across Bhering's Strait. This strait 
separates America from Asia. 

3. The Indians were quite tall, and very 
straight ; their colour was red, or brown. They 
had long, black, and coarse hair. They were 
very brave, but cruel and revengeful. 

4. Their huts they called i(;(5cA;-i(;aw5. They 
lived on the flesh of wild animals and fish. 
Sometimes they had corn, beans, peas, and 
potatoes. The English never saw Indian corn, 
before they came to America. It is called 
Indi(m corn, because it was found among the 
Indians. Their name for it was maize, 

5. The Indians in America were divided into 
tribes. Each tribe had a king, or chief, whom 
they called their sachem. Between these 
tribes there were often bloody wars. Indians 
delight in war. The weapons which they used 
were clubs, bows and arrows, and tomahawks. 

6. The tomahawk was made of stone, and 



1^ child's history 

with it they used to cut off the top part of the 
heads of those they took prisoners. This was 
called scalping. Before going out to war, they 
always sounded the war-hoop. This was a 
yell, sounding like, '^ Wo-ach, Wo^ach, ha hack 
Wo-ach /" When they made peace, each smo- 
ked the same pipe. This pipe was called a 
Calumet It was made of red stone. Its stem 
was more than a yard long. It was ornament- 
ed with porcupine's quills, beads, ribbons, and 
horse-hair dyed red. The Indians worshipped 
a Good Spirit and an Evil Spirit. But of the 
true God they knew nothing ; nor had they 
ever heard of the Bible, or of Jesus Christ the 
Saviour of men. 

QUESTIONS. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 16 

4- What were their huts called ? On what did they live ? On what 
else f Was Indian corn known to the English before they came to 
America t Why was it called Indian corn ? What did the Indians call it ? 

5 How were the Indians divided ? What was their chief called ? 
What is said of wars between them 1 In what do Indians delight ? What 
are their weapons of war ? -1,71. . • 

G Of what was the tomahawk made ? What was its use ? VVhat is 
scaipinc ? VVhat did the Indians do before going to war ? \Vhat did the 
war-hoop sound like ? When peace was made, what did they do .' 
What was this pipe called I ,,.,,, p *i, . 

7. What did the Indians worship ? What did they know of the true 
God 1 What of the Bible, and Jesus Christ ? 



STORY. 

1. I will now finish my story about Captain Smith. 

2. The Indians, at first, seemed well pleased to see 
Captain Smith, and the other English people. For a time, 
they treated them kindly, and gave them corn. 

3. But their kindness did not last long. They began 
to think the English wished to get away all their lands 
And, at length, they did not come to Jamestown often ; 
nor would they give the new settlers any more corn, nor 
sell them any. 

4. The English were now in want ; and many feared 
that they must all starve. But Captain Smith being a 
brave man, went boldly among the Indians, and compelled 
them to let him have corn. 



16 child's history 

5. But this made them unfriendly to him,«and now tney 
watched an opportunity to seize him. And not long after, 
they did seize him. He had gone into the wilderness, 
some distance from Jamestown, when some Indians came 
upon him, and took him, though he bravely defended him- 
self for a long time. 

6. The Indians were much pleased, that they had him 
in their power. They shouted over him, and around him ; 
and, at length, bound him to a tree, thinking to kill him 
with their arrows. 

7. Some said, however, that it was best to take him to 
Po-ha-tan. He was their sachem, and a mighty warrior. 
This was agreed upon, and they led Captain Smith to 
Pohatan. 

8. When Pohatan saw him, he seemed well pleased. 
He had, he thought, an enemy in his power. Indians 
delight in torture and blood ; and now Pohatan and his 
warriors said Captain Smith should die. 

9. Preparations \Yere made. A stone was brought and 
laid on the ground. The Indians gathered round. They 
looked fierce, and were impatient for his death. Captain 
Smith's head was laid on the stone, and a club was handed 
to Pohatan. 

10. Pohatan came forward, and stood over where Cap- 
tain Smith lay. Near by stood two little girls. They 



OF THE UNITED STATES. H 

were the daughters of Pohatan. The name of the one I do 
not know-the name of the other was Poc-a-han-tas. 

11 These little girls saw Captain Smith— they saw 
their father-they saw the club. The strong arm of the 
chief was. raising it. He looked full of wrath, and death 
was coming in the blow. 

12. But the blow came not— and death came not. Both 
2vcre comincr— but little Pocahantas, at that instant, sprang 
forward and folded the head of Captain Smith in her arms. 
She could not see him die. He was a brave man, and she 
wished her father not to kill a brave man. 

13. Pohatan paused. He looked round amazed. The 
fierce and savage looks of the Indians were gone. They 
loved Pocahantas, and she ivas a lovely girl. Pohatan him- 
self was much affected. He raised his daughter. No doubt 
he loved her better than ever. For her sake, he spared 
Captain Smith, and sent him back to Jamestown m safety. 

14. This was noble. Pocahantas had been brought up 
among savages ; but she had kind feelings, and in this in- 
stance, set a worthy example. 




18 



'.-. 



CHILD'S HISTORY 




Goouiiian and Bvovrn discovering Plymoutli at si 



p. 23. 



LESSON IV. 

PLYMOUTH SETTLED. 

1. Seven years after the English had settled 
at Jamestown, some Dutch people came over 
from Holland, and began to settle Neiv-York. 
They built a fort at Albany, and formed a 
settlement where the city of New-York now 
stands. The year the Dutch came over was 
1614. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 



19 



2. Ill 1620, another vessel came from En- 
gland, bringing people who began to settle 
Massachusetts, On board this vessel, there 
were an hundred and one persons. The name 
of the vessel in which thej came was the 
Speedwell, 

3. These persons were a religious set of 
people. They were called Puritans ; and this 
name was given them, because they wished to 
worship God in a 2^'^^^^ manner than other 
people did in England. But this they were 
not allowed to do in peace, and so they con- 
cluded to come to America. 

4. Their voyage lasted four months, and 
was very distressing. They settled in a place 
which they called Plymouth. This lies thirty- 
six miles south-east from Boston. They land- 
ed on the twenty-second of December. They 
landed on a rock, which since that time has 
been ealled " Forefathers^ Rock^ The first 



20 CHTT.n' 



CHILD'S HISTORY 



person who jumped out of the boat on to the 
mck, was a gir], by the name of Mary Chilton. 

5. When they landed, the ground was co- 
vered with a deep snow ; and they suffered 
much before they could finish a sufficient num- 
ber of log houses. They suffered also from 
hunger ; but the Indians round Plymouth were 
quite friendly, and gave them corn. But be- 
fore spring, more than half of the people died. 

6. Not long after this, several other vessels 
arrived with people, who settled Boston, Sa- 
lem, and other places. 

QUESTIONS. 
,r/" }Vho settled New-York ? How long was the arrival of the Dutch 

afor't '' wtrA i?r n T^% J«-e«t"T • W^^^^-^ ^id the Dutch buTw 
9 wv. A? ^^ ^''^''^ ^""'J^ "" settlement ? What year was this ? 

2 Vi hen was Massachusetts first settled? By whom ? How many 

firs^t^came over ? What was the name of the vessel, in which they S 

3. What sort of people were they? What were they called? Whv 
were they called thus ? Were they allowed to do this in peace ?' ^ 

«M;iJJ°'^w^"^r'^'^'S^''/''y^^^^- Was it pleasant? Where did they 
settle? How far IS this from Boston? Which way? When did they 

irpedgrtt^rat?^^^^"'^ What is this roc/called? Wh'ots^ 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 2* 

5 What was the ground covered with at this time? Did the people 
suffer much? From what did they suffer ? Who gave them corn ? How 
many died before spring ? ^ ^, • -> 

6. What other places were settled soon after this f 



STORY. 

1. You now know something of the arrival of the people 
at Plymouth, in America, and of their landing on " Fore- 
fathers' Rock." 

2. It was winter when they arrived, as I told you ; but 
they contrived to build nineteen huts, one for each family. 
But all the time they were at work, the cold wind blew, and 
it rained, and snowed. Many of the men took cold, fell 
sick, and died. 

3. The people, however, prayed much, and still trusted 
in God. They had come to America to serve Him ; and 
they believed that He would not forsake them. And He 
did not forsake them. They suffered much from sickness, 
and from want, and many died. But spring, at length, 
came ; and those who lived enjoyed better health, and 
were able to work. 

4. One day in the month of January, John Goodman 
and Peter Brown went into the woods to get some thatch, 
or wild grass, with which to cover their houses. They 
had no shingles and no straw, but used wild grass. 



22 child's HISTORr 

5. When they had procured some, they set out to re- 
turn ; but these men had lost their way, and before they 
were aware, night came on ; the sky was cloudy, and it 
began to snow. What should they do ? They had no 
great coats, and their clothes were thin. 

6. They could not reach home that night. Fortunately, 
they found a rock, under which they took shelter, and on 
some leaves they laid down, and with other leaves they 
covered themselves. 

7. But now another trouble came. John Goodman 
said he was sure that he heard a lion near them. Peter 
Brown listened, and thought he heard one too. They 
were much alarmed, and lay as still as possible. 

8. I suppose my pupils know, that they did not hear a 
lion. Lions were never found in North-America. Some 
very good people used to say that there certainly 2ms a lion 
once seen at Cape Ann, near Boston ; but wiser people 
know that there never were any seen there. Lions are 
found in Africa ; but not in America, unless they are 
brought here for a show. 

9. Now I will tell you what Peter Brown and John 
Goodman did hear. What they heard was nothing but 
the roaring of the wind : but they thought it was the roar- 
ing of a lion : and they were so sure of it, that they both 



OF THE UMTED STATES. 23 

roise and began climbing a tree : but tb.ey were soon glad 
to come down, the wind was so strong and cold. 

10. When they reached the ground, they were obliged 
to walk round and round the tree to keep themselves from 
freezing, and they continued to walk all night. It was 
well that they were kept awake by the fear of a lion. Had 
they gone to sleep under the rock, they would have been 
frozen to death. 

11. No lion came near them, for no lion was there. 
The morning at length dawned, and glad were thev. 
They now hastened from the spot ; and at length came to 
a hill, from the top of which they could see Plymouth 
harbour. It was a great distance ; and fi\st were they 
obliged to walk, and sometimes even to run, to reach 
home that night. At nine in the evening they entered 
the village. 

12. The people were rejoiced to see them. They had 
been abroad all that day in search of them, but they could 
not find them ; and it w^as the general opinion, that they 
had been killed by the Indians. I dare say that John 
Goodman and Peter Brown took good care not to get lost 
aorain. 



24 



child's history 




John Holmes passing the Dutch Fort. p. 29. 



LESSON V. 

OTHER SETTLEMEIVTS. 

1. Now you know something of the manner 
in which Virginia, New-York, and Massachu- 
setts, began to be settled. You will wish to 
know, I trust, when and how some other of 
the United States began to be settled. I will 
tell jou. 

2. Neio- Hampshire was settled next to Mas- 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 23 

sachusetts, by people who came from England. 
They settled at a place called Dover^ on the 
river Pis-cat-a-qua. This was in 1623. 

3. New- Jersey was settled next — in 1624. 
This was settled by people from Norway. The 
town they settled was called Bergen^ after a 
city of that name in Norway. It lies on the 
Hudson, three miles from the city of New- 
York. 

4. Next to New-Jersey, Delaware was set- 
tled : this was in 1627. The people who set- 
tled this state came from Sweden and Finland. 
They settled near Wilmmgton. 

5. The state of Connecticut was settled next 
— in 1633 ; that is, the first house was at that 
time erected. This was a trading house, built 
by one John Holmes, at Windsor, seven or eight 
miles north of Hartford, on Connecticut River. 
In 1635, and the following year, the three 
towns, Hartford, Windsor, and Wethersfield, 



26 child's history 

were all settled, by people from Massachusetts, 
who travelled on foot through the wilderness. 
They were a fortnight in making the journey. 
The distance is a hundred miles. They lived 
chiefly on the milk of the cows which they 
drove. 

6. Maryland was settled in 1634, by persons 
who came from England w ith Lord Baltimore. 

7. Rhode-Island was settled in 1636, by 
Roger Williams and some others, from Massa- 
chusetts. They settled the town of Providence, 

8. Georgia was settled in 1733, by people 
from England, who were brought over by Gen- 
eral Oglethorpe. They settled at Savannah. 

9. The first settlement made in North-Caro- 
lina was in the year 1650, by people from Vir- 
ginia. 

10. South-Carolina was settled in 1670, 
near the city of Charleston. 

11. Pennsylvania w^as first settled in 1681, 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 27 

It was called after William Penn, who w^as a 
Quaker. He founded the city oi Philadelphia. 
This w^ord means the city of love, 

12. Thus I have told you about the settle- 
ment of thirteen states. There are now twen- 
ty-four states ; but only thirteen were settled 
before the war of the Revolution, about which 
I shall tell you by and by. 

13. Now^ remember the order in which these 
thirteen states were settled. First, Virginia ; 
next, New-York ; then, Massachusetts ; New^- 
Hampshire ; New^-Jersey ; Delaware ; Con- 
necticut ; Maryland ; Rhode-Island ; North- 
Carolina ; South-Carolina; Pennsylvania; and 
last, Georgia. 



QUESTIONS. 

2. What state was settled next to Massachusetts ? By whom 1 What 
place did they settle ? On what river ? In what year ? 

3. What state was next settled ? In what year ? By whom 1 What 
town did they settle ? How far is this town from New-York 1 On what 
river ? 

4. When was Delaware settled ? By whom ? Near what place did they 
settle ? 



28 child's history 

5. When was Connecticut settled? What house was at this time 
ei-ected ? By whom ? Where ? How far from Hartford ? Which way '? 
On what river ? When were Hartford, Windsor, and Weathersfield, settled ? 
By whom ? How did they reach these places ? How long did it take 
them ? What is the distance ? On what did they live ? 

6. When was Maryland settled ? By whom ? 

7. When was Georgia settled 1 By whom ? Who brought them over ? 
Where did they settle ? 

8. When was Rhode-Island settled ? By whom ? What town did they 
settle ? 

9. When was North-Carolina settled ? By whom ? 

10. When was South-Carolina settled ? Near what city ? 

11. When was Pennsylvania settled ? After whom was it called ? WhaJt 
was he 1 What city did he found ? 

12. How many states have I told you about? How many states are 
there now in the United States ? How many states were there settled 
before the Revolutionary War ? 

13. Now, in what order were these states settled ? 



STORY. 

1. Children of the present day know little of the toil and 
trouble it cost our fathers and mothers to settle these states. 
Now, we can look abroad and see large cities, handsome 
villages, fine fields, and rich gardens. We see good, 
smooth roads, strong bridges, and well finished houses. 

2. It was not so once. Indeed, it was not. When 
these states were first settled, the country was all a wilder- 
ness. For hundreds of miles it was one unbroken forest. 
Not a city, not a town was to be seen — not a village — not 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 29 

a house, excepting here and there a few Indian week- 
warns. 

3. Even the frame of the first house overbuilt in Connec- 
ticut, was made at Plymouth, in Massachusetts. It was 
there made by one John Holmes. And when he had fi- 
nished it, he put it on board a small vessel, and set sail for 
Connecticut River. 

4. Up that river he went ; and, at length, came where 
Hartford now stands. Just in that spot, he was much 
surprised to see a kind effort, standing near the banks of 
the river. Some Dutch people from New- York had built 
it, and they were at this time in the fort ; and they were 
determined that no other people should settle near them ; 
and they had planted a cannon to fire upon any one, who 
should dare to sail up the river. 

5. When Holmes came along in his vessel, out came 
the Dutch, from the fort, and hailed him. " Stop," said 
they '' pull down your sails ;" and while they said this, 
they loaded their cannon, and brought fire from the fort, 
and told Holmes, that they would blow him through if he 
did not stop. 

6. Holmes saw the Dutch, saw their cannon, saw them 
loading it, and heard them call. Little cared he ; he 
was a bold man, A fine wind was blowing, and his little 



30 



child's history 



vessel went on, like a bird in the air. Besides, he knew 
that the Dutch were no marksmen at all ; and he went on, 
leaving them quite vexed that powder and ball would not 
scare an Englishman. On he went, I said — reached 
Windsor — put up his house, and thus led the way for the 
settlement of Connecticut. 




OF THE UNITED STATES. 



31 




C^noi c'ilC lejiljing tc the jc u 



LESSON VI. 

EAP.LY INDIAN WARS.— I. PEQ,UOT Vv'AR. 

1. I HAVE already told you something about 
the Indians, who were found in the country, 
when it w^as first settled by the English. In 
this lesson, I shall tell you of the ivars, w^hich 
the English had with these Indians. 

2. The ^r.9^ Indian war was called the " Pe- 
([uot war." This began in 1637. 



32 chtt.d' 



CHILD'S HISTORY 



3. The Pequots were a powerful tribe. 
They lived in Connecticut. Their chief sa- 
chem was called Sassacus. He was a great 
warrior. 

4. The Pequots had two forts near ISlew- 
London and Groton. Soon after the English 
settled Connecticut, the Pequots killed several 
of them, and a war with them became ne- 
cessary. 

5. The people of Hartford, Windsor, and 
Wethersfield, raised ninety men. Captain Ma- 
son commanded them. They were assisted 
by five hundred Narragansett Indians. These 
Indians lived in Rhode-Island. 

6. With this force, Captain Mason surprised 
the principal fort of the Pequots early one 
morning — burnt the fort, and utterly destroyed 
them. This was a sad war ; but it was just 
on the part of the English, because the Pequots 
were determined to destroy them. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 33 

2. PHILIP'S WAR. 

7. The next Indian war began in 1675. 
This was called ^'Ki7ig Philip^s ivar,^^ because 
he W'as the chief mover of it. 

8. Philip w^as the sachem of the Wam-pa- 
no-ag tribe. He had a fort at Mount Hope, in 
Bristol, Rhode-Island. 

9. The grandfather of Philip was the friend 
of the English. Philip was their enemy. He 
was their enemy, because he thought they were 
taking too much land from the Indians ; and 
now he determined, if possible, to destroy them. 

10. To effect this purpose, he visited almost 
all the tribes in New-England, and engaged 
them to help him on in the war. The war was 
now begun. It was a more extensive war 
than the Pequot w^ar. It was more bloody. 

11. Many towns were surprised, and the in- 
habitants cruelly killed. At Brookfield, in 
Massachusetts, the inhabitants fled to a house, 

D 



34 child's history 

and the Indians came up, and fired at it, and 
continued round it for two days. And, at 
length, they loaded a cart with flax and tow, 
and setting it on fire, pushed it against the 
house. But a heavy shower of rain came, and 
put out the fire. 

12. At another time, the English troops fol- 
lowed the Narragansett Indians, who had taken 
part with Philip, into a deep swamp, in which 
they had a fort and a village of weekwams. 
In the fort and village were supposed to be 
nearly four thousand Indians. The English 
attacked the fort, and a dreadful battle followed ; 
but the English w^ere victorious. They burnt 
the fort and the weekwams, and almost all the 
Indians were killed or burnt. 

13. The war ended in 1676, by the death of 
Philip. He was discovered at this time in a 
swamp, with his great captain Anawou, and a 
few followers. Capt. Church being informed 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 35 

of it, marched to the swamp, and ordered his 
soldiers to surround it. 

14. '' Now," said he, "it is impossible for 
Philip to escape." At this moment, Philip 
started to flee. An English soldier levelled 
his gun at him, but it missed fire. An Indian 
fired, and the ball passed through his heart. 

15. Captain Church ordered him to be be- 
headed. This service was performed by an 
Indian, who, as he stood over Philip, said : 
" You have been one very great man. You 
have made many a man afraid of you. But so 
big as you be, I will chop you to pieces." 

QUESTIONS. 

2. What was the first Indian war called ? When did it begin ? 

3. What is said of the Pequot tribe ? ^Vhere did they live ? Who was 
their chief sachem ? What is said of him ? 

4. What two forts had the Pequots ? How did they treat the English ? 

5. How many men did the English raise for the war ? By what towns 
were they raised ? Who commanded them ? By whom were they assist- 
ed ? Where did the Narragansetts live ? 

6. What was the fate of the Pequots ? Was this war just on the part 
of the English? Why? 

7. When did the next Indian war begin ? What was this war called ? 
Why ? Of what tribe was Philip the sachem ? Where was his fort ? 



36 child's history 

9. What is said of the grandfather of Philip ? What is said of Philip 
himself? Why was Philip an enemy to the English ? What did he de- 
termine to do ? 

10. To effect his purpose, what did he do ? How did this war compare 
with the Pequot war ? 

11. What were surprised? Who were killed? What did the inhabi- 
tants at Brookfield do ? How long did the Indians surround this house ? 
In what way did they attempt to set fire to the house ? 

12. At another time, where did the English troops follow the Indians ? 
What tribe was this ? In the fort and village, how many Indians were 
there supposed to be ? W^hat became of the fort, week-warns, and In- 
dians ? 

13. When did the war end ? What was the occasion ? Where was 
Philip discovered ? Who was with him ? What did Capt. Church order 
his soldiers to do ? 

14. Who attempted to shoot Philip as he fled ? Why did he fail ? Who 
did kill him? 

15. What was done with Philip ? Who beheaded him ? What did the 
Indian say ? 



STORY. 

1. My story, at this time, will be about Ca-non-chet 
and Philip. 

2. Canonchet was the friend of Philip. He was the 
sachem of the Narragansetts, a tribe which I told you 
lived in Rhode-Island. Canonchet was a proud chief, and 
a bold warrior. 

3. After the swamp fight, of which I have told you, 
some English troops came upon him. He fled before 
them, and plunged himself into a river. But his foot slip- 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 37 

ped, and he fell so deep, that he was taken as he rose ; 
and after he was taken, he said that he was now only Uke 

'' a rotten stick." 

4. But his appearance was still noble. His eye was 
black ; and keenly was it fixed upon the EngUsh. They 
were struck with the majesty of his looks. A young En- 
Mish soldier asked him a question. The proud warrior 
replied, " You are a child : I answer no question of yours. 
Let your chief come, I will answer him." 

5 Canonchet was doomed to die. "Well," sam he, 
" I wish to die-I wish to die before I have spoken any 
thing unworthy of Canonchet." 

6 Philip was as proud as Canonchet, and a still greater 
man He was a warrior of a lofty spirit-bold and power- 
ful • and at the same time, artful and treacherous. 

7 To the English, after the war began, his name was 
a constant terror. AVherever he passed, he spread dismay 
around him-he asked no favour for himself or followers, 
and shewed none to his enemies. 

8 After all, let not Philip be too severely condemned^ 
He was a savage, and lived in savage times. He had had 
no religious instruction-no, he was a heathen-an unen- 
lightened heathen, who sought glory in war and revenge 

for iniuries. ., _, ,. , 

9. Philip had some reason, too, to think that the English 



^^ child's history 

were his enemies. He was a king, and had a just claim 
to the country. He tUugU the English wished to drive 
him and his followers away, and get their lands for nothing. 
In this he mistook. But, perhaps, the English were not 
sufficiently cautious, not to excite his suspicions. 

10. If such were his belief, is it strange that he was 
roused ? Who would not fight for country, for wife, and 
children ? For these he fought, fought like a hero, fought 
like a patriot, and we may add, fought like a savage ! 

U. It was sad, indeed, that Philip was so jealous of the 
English. A more dreadful war was never known in Ame- 
rica, than Philip's war. Yet the blood shed in it might 
have been saved, had he only been convinced that the 
English were his friends. 



t.:^^^i^>' 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 



39 




tine of Mr=. Dustdn and f imil) . p. 43. 



Meeting 

LESSON VII. 

KING WILLIAM'S WAR. 

1. Philip's war ended, as I told you, in 
1676. The English people in America had 
now a period of rest. But this did not last 
long. Another war came. It was called " Zzn^ 
William'' s war.'^ It began in 1690. 

2. William was king of England. Louis 
XIV. was king of France. Louis declared war 
against William. 



"^^ child's history 

3. The people who had settled in that part 
of America, now called the United States, 
were subjects of King William. The people 
in Canada had come from France, and were 
subjects of King Louis. 

4. When Louis had declared war against 
William, he sent orders to his people in Cana- 
da to make war upon the English people, who 
had settled in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and 
other places. 

5. This w^ar lasted seven years. Many In- 
dians fought with the French, against the En- 
glish. They frequently came down from Ca- 
nada, sometimes in the midst of winter ; they 
surprised towns in the dead of night, killed the 
inhabitants, and burnt their houses. 

9. One winter in February, a party of French 
and Indians came to Schenectady, This place 
lies sixteen miles west of Albany. They came 
in the dead of night. It was a cold and pierc- 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 41 

ing night. The snow was deep, and still it 
was snowing fast. The people were all asleep. 
The place was burnt — sixty of the inhabitants 
were slain ; and many who escaped, were 
frozen to death. 

7. The war ended in 1697. 

QUESTIOiNS. 

1. When did the Pequot war end ? What is said of the state of the En- 
glish people after this ? Did peace last long 1 What was the war called 
which now came on ? What year did it begin ? 

2. Who was William ? Who was Louis XIV. ? Against whom did 
Louis declare war? 

3. What people in America were subjects of King William I What 
people were subjects of King Louis ? 

4. After war was declared, what order did Louis send to his people in 
Canada ? 

5. How long did this war last ? Who fought with the French ? When 
did they come down from Canada ? What did they do ? 

6. What place did they attack in February ? Which way is Schenec- 
tady from Albany ? How many miles ? Was it a clear or a stormy 
night ? Were the inhabitants asleep or awake ? What became of the 
place ? How many of the people were killed ? What befel many others ? 

7. When did the war end ? 



STORY. 

1. King William's war ended in 1697. In the winter 
of that year, a sad event took place, and to that my story 
relates. 



42 child's history 

2. There lived at Haverhill, in New-Hampshire, a Mr. 
Dustan. He had a wife and eight children. They were 
all small. One was a little babe only a week old, and Mrs. 
Dustan was still sick. 

3. One day, Mr. Dustan was in the field at work, when 
he saw a party of Indians crossing the field towards his 
house. He mounted his horse and reached the house, took 
his little children and put them in the road, and told them 
to run, and he would soon follow. 

4. By this time the Indians had arrived. He was obli- 
ged to leave Mrs. Dustan and the babe, and on his horse 
he fled. He soon came up with his little children, though 
they run as fast as they could. He looked back, and some 
of the Indians were coming. What should he do? 

5. For a moment he thought that he would take up the 
little boy or girl that he loved best, and flee. But which 
should he choose ? He loved them all ; and he could not 
choose. He told them to run fast, and he would try to 
stop the Indians. 

6. He stopped his horse, and the children fled. He loaded 
his gun. The Indians soon came up. He fired, and 
again he fled. The Indians fired, but the balls touched 
him not, and touched not the children. God preserved 
them. 

7. Again Mr. Dustan halted, and again loaded his gun ; 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 43 

and when the Indians came up he fired, and they fired also. 
But the same kind Providence protected him ; and, at 
length, he and all his little children safely reached a house, 
and the Indians went back. 

8. I wish I could add that Mrs. Dustan and her little 
babe were as safe. But it was not so. The babe was 
killed, and its poor mother, though sick, the savages com- 
pelled to travel, weak as she was, one hundred and fifty 
miles. 

9. She now expected to be killed. But one night while 
the Indians were asleep, she made her escape, with two 
other prisoners. A long and dreary wilderness was be- 
fore them, which they traversed with much toil ; but at 
length they reached Haverhill. She found that her house 
was burned, but her husband was spared, and her seven 
little children. 

10. The meeting between the mother and the children 
I shall not attempt to describe. I dare say that they flocked 
about her ; and I dare say, too, that each one imprinted 
a kiss upon her cheek, and each was kissed many a time 
in return. 

11. How thankful should children at the present day 
be, that there are no Indians to injure them, either by 
night or by day. It is God who causes them to see better 
days, and Him they should love and serve 



44 



child's history 




IMassacre and burning at Deerfield, by tlie Indians, p. 46. 

LESSON VIII. 

Q,UEEN ANIVE'S WAR. 

1. Queen Anne ascended the throne of 
England in 1702. That year, war was again 
declared between France and England. It 
was called " Queen Anne^s war:'' And now 
again the French in Canada, and the English 
colonies in America, were engaged against 
each other. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 45 

2. The Indians in Canada assisted the 
French, and with them often came down upon 
the English, as they had done during King 
William's war. Several towns were burned, 
and much alarm and distress were caused. 

3. The colonies which suffered most during 
this war, were those of Massachusetts and 
New-Hampshire. 

4. This war ended in 1713. It had lasted 
eleven years : but like most other wars, little 
good was done by it. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When did Queen Anne ascend the throne of England ? In what 
year was war declared between France and England ? What was this war 
called ? What people in America were now engaged against each other ? 

2. Who assisted the French in this war ? In what manner did the 
French and Indians treat the English ? 

5. Which colonies suffered the most ? 

4. When did the war end ? How long had it lasted ? What good had 
it brought to pass ? 



STORY. 

1. My Story must again be a sad one. 

2. In the winter of 1704, three hundred French and 



46 child's history 

Indians came into Deerfield, in Massachusetts. It was 
in the dead of night. The inhabitants were asleep. Some 
persons had been set to keep watch ; but even they were 
asleep. 

3. At length, the Indians and French came to the 
house of Mr. Williams. He was the minister of Deerfield. 
They broke open his door — seized him — bound him — and 
kept him standing in the cold an hour, without his 
clothes. 

4. Then they killed two of his children, and a servant 
of his family. Other savages had set fire to the town, and 
the flames were now rolling upward from every quarter. 
But one house was left standing, and in that the marks of 
the bullet are seen at the present day. 

5. Forty-seven persons were killed, and one hundred 
taken into captivity. Among these latter were Mr. Wil- 
liams and his family. The next day, Mrs. Williams was 
killed, in sight of her husband, and seventeen others were 
killed before they reached Canada. 

6. Mr. Williams was kept a prisoner two years. At 
the end of this time, he was permitted to return to Deer- 
field, with fifty-seven of his people. After this, he preached 
for twelve years ; and at length, went to his grave in 
peace. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 



47 




View v( Quebec, p. Jl. 

LESSON IX. 

FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR. 

1. Queen Anne's war, I said, ended in 1713. 
From this date, we shall pass rapidly on to the 
year 1756. In this latter year, the ''French 
and Indian'^'' war began. 

2. Between these two wars, was a period 
of forty-two years, and during this time the 
English colonies in America flourished. The 



48 child's history 

inhabitants increased ; agriculture was im- 
proved ; commerce was extended ; but manu- 
factures did not flourish. The people in 
England were unwilling that the Americans 
should manufacture cloth, or hats, and scarcely 
anything else ; because they w ished the Ame- 
ricans to purchase of them. Still, the colonies 
flourished. In 1756, the thirteen colonies con- 
tained more than a million of inhabitants. 

3. This year, the French and Indian war 
began. On the other side of the Atlantic, the 
war was carried on between England and 
France. In America, it was carried on between 
the English colonies, and the French and In- 
dians in Canada. 

4. This w^as an important war. In former 
wars, the English colonies had found it enough 
to defend their own territory. In this war, 
they sent troops to Canada to attack the French 
there. The English troops amounted to eight 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 49 

thousand. Thej were commanded by General 
Wolfe. 

5. The French troops were cohimahded by 
General Montcalm. Sept. 13^^> 1759, the two 
armies met near Quebec. A Woq%^ battle en- 
sued. General Wolfe was killed. General 
Montcalm was wounded, in consequence of 
which he died. The English were victorious. 
The city of Quebec fell into the hands of the 
English. 

6. Tltis led the way to further success. All 
Canada was conquered ; and, since that time, 
bas been owned by the King of England. The 
ivar ended in 1763. It had lasted nearly seven 
y^ears. 

7. During this war the English colonists 
proved themselves to be a brave people. They 
jpent much money, and at the close of the war 
:hey felt themselves poor. They were not 
kvell treated by England. It was, after all, her 

E 



50 child's history 

war, and she ouglit to have paid them back the 
money which they had spent : but she would 
not do it, and they could not help theniselves, 
because they had no power to compel her to do 
them justice. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When did Queen Anne's war end ? When did the French and Indian 
war begin ? 

2. How long was it between these two wars ? What was the state of 
the English colonies during this period 1 What is said of their increase ? 
What of agriculture ? What of commerce ? What of manufactures ? 
Why were the people of England unwilling that the Americans should 
manufacture for themselves 1 How many inhabitants did the colonies 
contain in 1756 ? 

3. When did the war begin ? Between whom was the war carried on 
on the other side of the Atlantic ? In America, between whom ? 

4. In former wars, what had the English colonies found it enough for 
themselves to do ? In this war, where did they send troops ? What 
number ? Who commanded them ? 

5. Who commanded the French troops ? When did the two armies 
meet ? Near what place ? What ensued ? Who was killed ? Who was 
wounded ? What became of General Montcalm ? Who were victorious ? 
What city was taken ? By whom ? 

6. To what did this lead the way ? What country was conquered ? 
By whom has it been since owned ? When did this war end ? How long 
had it lasted ? 

7. During this war, what did the English colonies prove themselves to 
be ? What did they spend ? What is said of them at the close of the 
wajf ? Were they well treated by England ? What ought she to have 
done ? Did she pay them ? Why could not they help themselves ? 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 51 



STORY. 

1. The capture of duebec, my pupils should know, 
was an important and iconderful event. 

2. I will first tell them why it was important. It was 
so, because it may be said to have put an end to the war. 
The whole of Canada soon fell into the power of the 
English. 

3. It was important, too, because it put an end to a 
long course of bloody wars. The English colonies had 
suffered greatly from the French and Indians during the 
wars of King William and Queen Anne, and now during 
the French and Indian war. But they had no more to 
fear, now that Canada belonged to the English. 

4. The capture of Quebec was also a very wonderful 
event, because it was thought impossible to take it. And 
I think you will say that General Wolfe and his troops 
were bold and brave men to have attempted it. 

5. At the beginning of the lesson is a view of duebec, 
as you would see it were you sailing towards it down the 
river St. Lawrence. Look back at the picture, and I will 
explain how the city was taken by the English. 

6. You see by the picture, that the upper part of Que- 
bec is built on a high bank. From the level of the water 



to the highest point, it is three hundred and forty-five feet. 
General Wolfe well knew that he could not capture the 
place, unless he could succeed in reaching these heights. 

7. On the twelfth of September — this was in the year 
1759 — one hour after midnight, he put his troops on board 
some boats, and directed his course to a cove, or small 
bay, into which you see a vessel is entering. The boats 
entered this cove, which is now called " Wolfe's Cove ;" 
and here, under the precipice, they landed, a mile and a 
half above the city. 

8. Even here the precipice was nearly two hundred feet 
high, and quite steep. Yet steep and rugged as it was, 
Wolfe led his army up, and formed them on the plains 
above, within sight of the city. These plains are called 
the ^'plains of Abraham." The towers which you see 
have been built since that time, and are called the "3Iar' 
telio towers." 

9. Here, on this plain, the army of Wolfe and the army 
of Montcalm met. They were nearly equal in numbers, 
and together amounted to ten thousand men. 

10. The battle was desperate and bloody. Early in the 
action. General Wolfe was wounded in the wrist, and soon 
after another bullet entered near his thigh, and a third 
followed which pierced his breast. He sunk upon the 



OF THE UNITED STATES, 



53 



shoulder of a soldier, and was soon in the agonies of death. 
At this moment, the shout of '* They fly ! they fly !" was 
heard. For a moment he raised himself, and eagerly 
asked, *' Who fly ?" and being told it was the French, he 
said, '' I die contented !" 

11. The battle now went on. The French fled, and 
were slaughtered by hundreds with the bayonet and broad- 
sword. The brave Montcalm was mortally wounded ; and 
the arms of the English were completely victorious. 




54 



CHILD'S HISTORY 




The iuhabitants of Boston hanging the Tory image, p. 58. 

LESSON X. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.— STAMP ACT. 

1. The " War of the Revolutions^ began in 
1773. It is so called, because it ended in the 
Independence of America, 

2. Until this time, the colonies in America 
were subject to the King of England. The 
country was settled by his subjects, and it was 
considered right, therefore, that he should 
govern it. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 55 

3. This the colonists were willing he should 
do, so long as his laws were just and good. 
They had come from England, and they loved 
the English people, and they respected the 
King, who was then George III. 

4. But neither the King, nor the people in 
England, loved the Americans as much. They 
were always jealous of them. They feared 
that at some future time the Americans would 
become rich and powerful, and wish to se- 
parate from them. 

5. The Americans were, indeed, prospering. 
They now amounted to more than three mil- 
lions of people. The great men in England 
said, they w^ere growing too fast — they would 
soon become proud and independent. Some- 
thing must be done to keep them in check. 

6. At length it was resolved to tax the Ame- 
ricans, to take away some of their money. This 
was first done in 1764. In that year, it was 



^6 child's history 

ordered that the Americans should paj a cer- 
tain sum on all the sugar, indigo, coffee, &c. 
which they should take from England to use 
in America. 

7. In 1765, the English Parliament went still 
farther, and passed an act called the '* Stamp 
Act,^'> that is, a duty, or tax, on every piece of 
paper used for notes, deeds, wills, &c. It was 
called the " Stamp Act," because each piece 
of paper had a stamp upon it representing a 
crown. 

8. This act was very odious to the Ame- 
ricans. They thought it unjust; and they 
resolved not to submit to it. 

9. The next year, 1766, the act was repeal- 
ed, 

QUESTIONS. 

I' H^h^'^.u^^}^^'' "^^^ ""f *^^ Revolution begin ? Why was it so called ? 

Z. Until this time, to whom were the colonists in America subject ? Bv 
whom had the country been settled ? What right had the King, therefore ^ 

J. How long were the colonists willing the King should govern them ? 
How did^they regard the English people? How the King^? Who tl^.* 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 57 

4. How did the King and people in England regard the Americans ? 
What did they fear ? " ^, , • . , «7u . 

5. Were the Americans prosperous ? What was their numbers T What 
did the great men of England say ? 

6. What did they resolve to do ? In what year was this '. What was 
this year ordered 1 What act was passed id 1765 ? What was meant by 
the stamp act? Why was it so called? 

8. What did the Americans think of this act ? What did they resolve 
about it ? 

9. When was tlie act repealed ? 



STORY. 

1 . 1 have told you how odious and unjust the Ameri- 
cans thought the stamp act was; and it was unjust. The 
people in England had no right to take money from the 
Americans in this manner. 

2. When the day arrived on which the stamp act was 
to take effect, the people in many parts of America met 
together, to show how much they disliked it. 

3. I will tell you what took place in Boston. On that 
morning all the bells of the city were tolled, as if for a 
funeral. The merchants closed their stores, and the me- 
chanics their shops. Then the people met in great num- 
bers, and formed the image of a man. This image repre- 
sented a tori/. A tory was one who took part with Eng- 
land. Those who took part against England, and against 
the stamp act, were called wMgs. 



58 



child's history 



4. When they had formed this image, they dressed it 
up in clothes, and put a hat upon it, and raised it upon a 
pole. 

5. They then carried it about the streets, and huzzaed, 
swinging their hats, and throwing stones. At length they 
hung it upon a gallows. 

6. The people in England heard how the Americans 
felt, and how they acted ; and the King and Parliament 
thought best to repeal the act. And they did wisely. . 



.^lill^ 




OF THE UNITED STATES. 



59 




The Bostonians throwing the Tea overboard, p. 60. 



LESSON XI. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.-DESTRUCTION OF TEA. 

1. The stamp act was repealed, as I said, in 
1766. This filled the Americans with joy. 
They thought the King and Parliament would 
tax them no more. 

2. But they mistook. Not long after, they 
taxed them again in another way. They laid 
a tax on glass, paper, and tea. Several cargoes 



^^ child's history 

of tea were sent to America. But the Ame- 
ricans resolved that they would buy none, be- 
cause they would not pay the tax laid upon it. 
3. One cargo of this tea was sent to Boston. 
When It arrived, the people resolved that it 
should not be landed. And now several per- 
sons assembled at the wharf, dressed like Mo- 
hawk Indians ; and going on board the ship, 
they took three hundred and forty-two chests 
ot tea, and pitched the ivhole into the sea. This 
was in the year 1773. 

QUESTIO.\S. 

aol X^^i:^^J^%^f^l^^ Pavl.an.ent soon after 
tea sent over ? Why > ^ ^'^ *^^ P^^^P^^ ^^^^^^^ about the 

dressed who threw the tea Iverbot 1 ?^ M ""''^ *^" I"" " "«^^ ''^'^ ^^^^^ 
into the water ? Tn 4at ^ra^wa. tlL ."^^^"'^"^ ^^ests did they thro^ 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 61 

STORY. 

1. The destruction of the tea, about which I have told 
you, was a bold affair. It was an act o^ open opposition to 
the King and Parliament. Had the persons concerned in 
pitching it into the ocean been discovered, they would 
have come to harm. But each one kept his own secret, 
and that of his neighbour. 

2. It was an act, too, of some self-denial. It was good 
tea, no doubt ; and " a good cup of tea'' of an afternoon, 
every one knows, is quite refreshing. At that day, tea was 
not as common as now ; and when first brought to Ame- 
rica, some persons, it is said, not knowing how to use it, 
fried it ; but the proper mode of using it was soon disco- 
vered, and it became quite fashionable. 

3. Tea-lovers would regret the loss of so much tea. 
But then their patriotism was stronger than their appetite. 
They would not drink tea, if they must be slaves; *'no," 
said they — said all, " give us freedom, with only a cup of 
cold water." 

4. Of the whole cargo, not a single chest — not even a 
pound, was saved. A small phial of it only was preserved, 
and that has been kept quite choice, and is now somewhere 
in Boston. A hundred years hence, what a curiosity will 
it be? 



62 child's history 

5. The above phial of tea was preserved in the following 
way : one of the persons who assisted in pitching the cargo 
into the ocean, found, on his return home, his shoes filled 
with it. This he put into a phial, sealed it, and so much 
has been preserved. 

6. Another person present designed to save some, and 
filled one of his coat pockets. A companion near by saw 
what he was about, but said nothing. By and by, when 
the cargo was safely overboard, this person came softly up 
behind the other, and taking hold of the skirt of his coat, 
cut it off and threw it into the sea. 

7. One of the chests thrown overboard happened not to 
break. Whether it was vexed at the treatment it had 
received in Boston, I shall not undertake to say. It soon 
cleared out of the harbour, and coasting along, floated into 
Dorchester. But here it was still worse treated. On its 
arrival, it was seized by some of the inhabitants, who 
carried it into the centre of the town, where, assembling 
a multitude of people, it was publicly burned. 

8. Now, what sort of people do you think the people of 
the Revolution were? Who were ever bolder or more 
self-denying? The destruction of a cargo of tea, under 
some circumstances, would have been a small affair : the 
destruction o^ that cargo was an enterprise of great daring, 
and will tell well a thousand years to come. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 



63 




Mr. Wheeler saving the public Flour from destruction, p. 67. 



LESSON XIT. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.— BATTLE OF LEXINGTON. 

1. The destruction of the tea at Boston and 
other places, sorely vexed the people in Eng- 
land ; and the King and Parliament sent ten 
thousand soldiers to America to make the peo- 
ple here behave better. This was in 1774. 

2. The same year, men were sent from the 
eleven colonies to Philadelphia, to consult what 



G4 child's history 

should be done. This was called the '^ Conti- 
nental Congress." They agreed that no more 
goods should be brought from England, and 
none sent thither, until the King should treat 
the Americans more justly. 

3. I must say a few things about this Con- 
gress. It was the first general Congress ever 
held in America. The men who composed it 
were distinguished for their courage and wis- 
dom. I will add some verses, which were 
written by Judge Trumbull about them. You 
must learn them ; they are very beautiful. If 
you do not now understand them, you will 
when you are older. 

"Now meet the Fathers of the western clime,— 
JNor names more noble graced the rolls of fame 

When Spartan firmness braved the wrecks of time. 
Or Latian virtue fann'd th' heroic flame. 

" Not deeper thought th' immortal sage inspired 
On Solon's* lips when Grecian Senates hung ; 

Nor manlier eloquence the bosom fired, 

When genius thunder'd from the Athenianf tongue." 



A distinguished Grecian lawgiver, f Demosthenes, an eloquent orator of Athens 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 65 

4. The English soldiers sent to America 
were stationed at Boston. They were com- 
manded by General Gage. 

5. The Americans had placed some provi- 
sions, powder, and ball, at Concord, 18 miles 
north of Boston. These General Gage wished 
to destroy. He therefore sent eight iumdred 
soldiers to Concord, to destroy them. These 
troops were commanded by Major Pitcairn, an 
English officer. 

6. When these soldiers arrived at Lexington, 
on their way to Concord, some of the American 
people were seen standing near the meeting- 
house, w^ith guns. Major Pitcairn told them 
'' to disperse ;" and when they would not dis- 
perse, he ordered his soldiers to fire, and eight 
w^ere killed and others wounded. 

7. This is called the '* Battle of Lexing- 
ton." The blood here shed was the first 
blood shed in the war of the revolution. The 

F 



66 child's history 

battle took place April 19th, 1775. The war 
from this time began. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. How did the people in England feel about the destruction of the tea? 
How many soldiers Avere sent to America ? For what purpose ? In what 
year was this ? 

2. In what year did the Continental Congress meet ? How many colo- 
nies sent delegates ? Where did they meet ? What did they agree upon ? 

3. What is said of this Congress ? For what were the men who com- 
posed it distinguished ? Can you repeat the verses written by Judge 
Trumbull about them ? 

4. Where were the English soldiers sent to America, stationed ? Who 
commanded them ? 

5. Where had the Americans placed provisions, powder, and ball ? 
Which way is Concord from Boston ? How many miles ? How many 
soldiers did General Gage send to destroy the provisions, powder, &c. ? 
Who commanded them ? Who was Major Pitcairn ? 

6. At what place did they meet some of the Americans with guns ? 
What did Major Pitcairn bid these people do ? Did they obey ? What 
did he then bid his soldiers do ? How many were killed .' 

7. What was this battle called ? What is said of the blood here shed ? 
In what year did this take place ? In what month ? On what day ? When 
did the war begin ? 



STORY. 

1. The enemy, after the battle of Lexington, proceeded 
to Concord, and there threw five hundred pounds of ball into 
the river and wells. They also destroyed about sixty bar- 
rels of flour. A considerable quantity of flour was saved 
by a Mr. Wheeler. The flour was stored in his barn. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 67 

Some of it was his oivn : the rest of it belonged to the 
public. 

2. The British officers and soldiers, after searching se- 
veral stores and barns, came to the barn of Mr. Wheeler. 
It was locked. A British officer told him to get the key 
and open it. He did so ; when, lo ! a large number of 
barrels of flour were in sight. The officer called his sol- 
diers to come and destroy them. 

'3. "Sir," said Mr. Wheeler, putting his hand on to a 
barrel, " This is my flour. I am a miller, Sir. Yonder 
stands my mill. I get my living by it. In the winter, I 
grind a great deal of grain, and get it ready for market in 
the spring. This," pointing to one barrel, " is the flour 
of wheat ; this," pointing to another, " is the flour of 
corn ; this is the flour of rye. This," putting his hand on 
to his oivn casks, " is my flour, this is my wheat, this is 
my rye." He told the truth. The barrels upon which he 
put his hand, ivere his. The officer thought they were all 
his. He was under no obligation to undeceive him. What 
he said was the truth : this was right. 

4. ' Well,' said the officer, ' we do not intend to injure 
private property.' Upon this, he turned and went out, 
leaving many barrels belonging to the public untouched. 

5. I must add a word more about the battle of Lexing- 



68 



child's history 



toil. The news of this battle spread. The country was 
filled with alarm and indignation. War was now certain. 
Hundreds shouldered their muskets all round the country, 
and hastened to Boston to assist in defending the country. 
C. Every man was filled with zeal. The conduct of 
General Putnam may serve as an example of the zeal 
which was felt. He lived at Pomfret, in Connecticut, one 
Imndred miles from Boston. When the news of the battle 
of Lexington reached Pomfret, he was ploughing in his 
field. He left his plough where it was, when the story 
was told him. Without changing his clothes, he mounted 
his horse, and in a single day was in the neighbourhood 
of Boston. This was the same General Putnam who once 
showed so much courage in killing a wolf 




^^i^^^^i^M'^^^^' 



OF THE UNITED STATES, 



69 




The inhabitants of New- York pulh'ng down the statue of George III. p, 7.1. 

LESSON XIII. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.— BUNKER HILL— GENERAL WASH- 
INGTON—INDEPENDENCE. 

1. The battle of Lexington was fought, as 
I told jou, April 19th, 1775. On the 17th of 
June, another battle was fought. This is called 
the " Battle of Bunker Hill." Bunker Hill is 
in the vicinitj of Boston. 

2. This was a hard fought battle. The 
Americans had only one hundred and fifteen 



70 child's history 

killed, and three hundred wounded. The Bri- 
tish had more than two hundred killed, and 
more than eight hundred wounded. This was 
a great diiference ; but the Americans did not 
fire till the British were close at hand, and then 
they took good aim. General Putnam told the 
American soldiers how to manage. '' Powder 
and ball are scarce," said he, " and jou must 
not waste them. Don't fire till you can see 
the ivhites of their eyes — fire loio — fire at their 
ivaistbands. You are all marksmen," said he ; 
'' you could kill a squirrel at a hundred yards. 
Take good aim — pick oif the handsome coats,'^^ 
This they did, and the enemy fell by scores. 

3. At length, however, the Americans were 
obliged to retreat, because they had used all 
their powder and ball. The battle showed the 
British what Yankees could do. 

4. On the second of July, General Washing- 
ton arrived at Cambridge, near Boston, and 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 71 

took command of the American armj. He was 
appointed commander-in-chief by the Conti- 
nental Congress. He proved to be a great 
general, and was afterwards called the ''Father 
of his country." 

5. The next year, 1776, on the fourth day 
of July, the thirteen American colonies were 
declared "• free and independent." This was 
done by the Continental Congress, at Phila- 
delphia. Mr. Jefferson, afterwards President 
of the United States, wrote the Declaration. 
All the members of Congress signed it. This 
was a great event, because it declared to the 
world, that the Americans thought they ought 
to be free. It also showed their determination 
to be free and independent. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. When did the battle of Lexington occur ? When tiie battle of Bun- 
ker Hill ? Where is Bunker Hill ? 

"1. How many Americans vvere killed in this battle ? How many were 
wounded ? How many of the British were killed ? How many wounded 1 
WJiat did General Putnam tell the American soldiers ? 



72 



child's history 



show V "-^ "^^^ ^"'^ -mencans obliged to retreat ? Whut did this battle 

What was he afterwards called ? ^""^ "^'"^ ^'^ P^^^e to be ? 

pefKleTt'r^B7;w.l%^''X wrott '' ^^ ^-« -^ -de- 

Why was this^a sreat event ? '''^'' '^^ Declaration ? Wlio signed it ? 



STORY. 

1. The fourth of July, every child knows, is called - In- 
dependence Day^ It is a great day in almost every town 
in the United States. No wonder it should be thought a 
great day-no wonder every one should rejoice-because 
on that day, in 1776, the Americans declared that George 
III. the King of England, should rule over them no more 
^. It was a bold act to declare the colonies free and 
independent. Had those who signed the Declaration been 
taken by the British, they would have been hung This 
^ley ^^^\\ knew. But they were brave and steadfast men. 
I hey loved their country, and were willing to hazard their 
lives for her good. 

3. After they had signed the Declaration, it was printed 
and thousands of copies were sent abroad, into every part 
of the country. Great rejoicings took place everywhere-^ 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 73 

all the bells were rung, in token of joy — cannon were fired, 
and large bonfires were kindled. 

4. I must tell you what the people in New- York did. 
In a certain spot, in that city, there stood a large statue 
or representation of King George III. It was made of 
lead. In one hand, he held a sceptre, or a kind of sword ; 
and on his head, he wore a crown. 

5. When the news of the Declaration of Independence 
reached the city, a great multitude were seen running to 
this statue. Soon the cry was heard from a hundred voices, 
" Down with it — down with it," and soon a rope was 
placed about its neck, and the leaden King George 
" came tumbling down." 

5. I shall only add, that when the statue was fairly 
down, it was cut to pieces, and converted into musket balls, 
to kill the soldiers whom his majesty had sent over to 
fiffht the Americans. 




74 



CHILD'S HISTORY 




The English officer questioning Mrs. Darrah. p. 



LESSON XIV. 

RETREAT OF WASHINGTON— BATTLES OF TRENTON, BRAN- 
DYWINE, AND GERMANTOWN. 

1. Congress declared the colonies free and 
independent July 4th, 1776. The war, how- 
ever, lasted for several years ; and all this time 
the Americans were fighting to effect their 
independence, and to drive the British from 
the country. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 15 

2. But noiv a gloomy time came on. This 
was in the fall of 1776. General Washington's 
army was reduced to three thousand men. He 
was obliged to retreat from Long Island into 
New-Jersey, and afterwards into Pennsylva- 
nia. During this retreat, the army sufiered 
greatly. The soldiers had poor provisions, and 
not enough of them. They had few blankets, 
and few shoes. The ground over which they 
passed was often stained with their blood. 

3. In December, however, things looked 
brighter. General Washington and his army 
came back into New- Jersey, and there was 
fought the " battle of Trenton." The Ame- 
ricans took a thousand prisoners. These pri- 
soners were '^ Hessians." They came from a 
place called Hesse, in Germany. 

4. The next year — that is, in 1777 — in Sep- 
tember, was fought tlie '' battle of Brandy- 
wine," in Delaware. Another battle was 



"^^ child's history 

fought in October. This was the '' battle of 
Germantown," six miles from Philadelphia. 
In both these battles the Americans lost 
ground. 

5. The season was now growing late. After 
the battle of Germantown, the British army 
went to Philadelphia, where they spent the 
winter. The American army spent the winter 
fifteen miles from Philadelphia. 

6. This was a trying winter for the Ame- 
rican army. Three thousand were sick at one 
time. Once they were in danger of famine. 
The soldiers were obliged to lie in their tents, 
without blankets ; and to walk in the snow, and 
on frozen ground, without shoes. 



QUESTIOIVS. 

wl' ^J!?®.? "^f independence declared ? Did the war continue after this ? 
Wliy did the Americans ficrht ? 



2. What is said of the state of thin^rs in the fall of 1776 f To what 
ber was the American army reduced ? Wliere was General Washi 
obliged to retreat ? Did the army suffer ? For what f 

o. When did things become brighter ? What battle was fought ? How 



num- 
ashincrton 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 77 

many prisoners were taken by the Americans ? What were they called ? 
From what country did they come ? 

4. When was the battle of Brandy wine fought ? Where is Brandy wine ? 
When the battle of Germantown ? Where is Germantown ? What was 
the success of the Americans in these battles ? 

5. Where did the British army spend the winter ? Where the Ame- 
rican army ? 

6. What is said of the American army this winter ? How many were 
sick at one time ? Of what were they in danger 1 From what other 
causes did thev suffer ? 



S T R Y. 

1. I will now tell you a story about Lydia Darrah. 
She and her husband, whose name was William, lived in 
Philadelphia. 

2. At the time the event happened, which I am about 
relatjng, the British army were in Philadelphia. The 
American army were encamped a short distance from it. 

3. A British officer lodged in the house of William and 
Lydia Darrah. One day, the officer told Lydia that he 
expected two other officers to make him a visit that even- 
ing — that they would stay late — that she and her family 
might all go to bed ; and that when the officers were going 
away, he would call her to let them out. * 

4. In the evening, the officers came. Lydia sent all her 
family early to bed. But she could not sleep herself. She 



78 

felt anxious, and suspected mischief. She could not help 
listening. 

5. The officers were talking about attacking General 
Washington and his army, by surprise, two nights from 
that time. She heard this, went down, and flung herself 
upon the bed. The officer sometime after called ; but she 
did not come. A second and a third time he called, and 
each time louder, for he thought she was asleep. At 
length he descended, and knocked at her door, soon after 
which she came, unbarred the door of the hall, and the 
officers went away. 

6. She now felt distressed. What should she do ? She 
durst not tell the secret to any one, not even to her hus- 
band. The next day her plan was formed. The family 
were in want of flour ; so she told William that she would 
go and get some. William said no, that he would go. * But 
Lydia wished so much to go, that he consented ; and yet 
he thought it strange that his wife should wish to go and 
purchase flour. 

7. Lydia now taking a bag, went to General Howe, the 
chief general of the British army, and told him she wished 
to go to a certain mill, out of the city, to buy some flour, 
and asked him to give her leave to pass the British troops. 
This he readily did. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 79 

8. When she reached the mill, she left her bag, and 
hastened on till she saw an American officer. *' Sir," 
said she, " I wish to tell you a secret." And then she 
told what she had heard the British officers say. " Go," 
said she, '' to General Washington, tell it to him, and bid 
him be ready for the enemy, but don't betray me." 

9. Lydia now returned to the mill, took her flour, and 
reached home in safety. The night appointed for the ex- 
pedition arrived. The British troops were silently marched 
out of the city, and went to attack the American army. 
On their arrival, General Washington was prepared. 
Every cannon was loaded, and the troops marshalled for 
battle. The British were afraid to attack him, and re- 
turned to Philadelphia. 

10. The evening after their return, the British officer 
called Lydia to his room, and with some sternness, said, 
"Lydia, we have been betrayed!" 

IL 'Betrayed, sir!' exclaimed she, with seeming sur- 
prise, 'who could betray you?' "I know not who it 
was," replied the officer — his keen eye settling steadily 
upon the modest countenance of Lydia — " some of your 
family, perhaps." 

12. ' Sir,' said Lydia, ' you bid me send them all early 
to bed, and I obeyed you.' " Are you sure that no one of 



80 



CHILD'S HISTORY 



them was up? — You was asleep, I well know; for I had 
to call several times, and even to knock at your door, 
before I could awake you — but your family — " 

13. ' Sir,' said Lydia, ' I assure you that they were all 
asleep — I am certain ; for I sent them all early to bed, as 
you told me.' 

13, " Well," said the officer, ** I know not who be- 
trayed us — but this I know, that we found General Wash- 
ington prepared to receive us ; and we have marched back, 
like a parcel of fools." 




OF THE UNITED STATES. 



81 




General Putnam escaping down the stone steps at Horseneck. p. 84. 



LESSON XV. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTIOIV.— BATTLE OF SARATOGA— MON- 
MOUTH— BURA'IA'G OF FAIRFIELD. 

1. I WILL now tell you of an event which 
spread great joy throughout America. This 
was the '' battle of Saratoga^ Saratoga lies 
north of Albany, in the state of New-York. A 
part of the American army w^as near this place. 
It was commanded by General Gates. 



82 

2. Towards this place, a British army came 
from Canada. It was commanded by General 
Burgoyne. Here, in October, 1771, these 
two armies met. A battle ensued. The Ame- 
ricans were victorious. The whole British 
army surrendered, and became prisoners. They 
amounted to five thousand and seven hundred 
men. This surrender was a joyful event. It 
took place on the seventeenth day of the month. 

3. The next year, 1778, in June; was fought 
the " battle of Monmouth. "^^ Monmouth lies 
sixty-four miles from Philadelphia. It was a 
severe contest. The day was so hot, that the 
tongues of the soldiers swelled out of their 
mouths. In this battle the Americans gained 
some advantage. 

4. In the following year, 1779, a party of 
British came into Connecticut, and plundered 
New-Haven^ where Yale College is situated. 
They burned Fairfield and Norivalk, and some 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 83 

Other places. Fairfield was burned just at 
evening. A thunder storm came up at the 
same time, and added greatly to the horrors of 
the scene. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. What event spread great joy tlirough America 1 Where does Sara- 
toga lie '/ Who commanded this part of the American army ? 

2. From what place did the British army come ? Who commanded 
them ? When did the two armies meet ? What ensued ? Who were 
victorious ? Who surrendered ? How many surrendered ? On what day 
did this take place ? 

3. In what year was tlie battle of Monmouth fought ? What month ? 
How far is Monmouth from Philadelphia ? What is said of the day on 
which this battle was fought 1 Who gained the advantage ? 

4. When did a party of tlie British come into Connecticut ? What 
city did they plunder ? What town did they burn 1 At what time in the 
day was Fairfield burned ? What circumstance added to the horrors of 
the scene ? 



STORY. 

1. I will now tell you two stories — one about General 
Putnam, and the other about General Washington. 

2. Soon after the British burned Norwalk, they went 
to Horseneck. This place lies on Long-Island Sound, 
about thirty miles from New-York. General Putnam was 
here, with one hundred and fifty men, and two cannon. 
The British amounted to fifteen hundred men. 



84 child's history 

3. General Putnam was a bold man. He placed his 
cannon on a hill, near the meeting-house ; and as the Bri- 
tish advanced, the cannon were fired. At length, the ene- 
my came so near, that he told his men to escape into a 
swamp near by. 

4. He himself was on horseback. It seemed impossible 
that he should escape. The hill was very steep, and down 
that no horse could go, only in the direction in which the 
British were coming. 

5. Putnam bethought himself. He had but a moment 
to think. He saw some stone steps. There were one 
hundred of them. The people had laid them in order to 
ascend the hill to the meeting-house. -^ m^' 

G. It is life, or death, thought Putnam, and down ne 
rode. On crane the British. They were sure of him. 
But when they arrived at the spot, they saw Putnam gal- 
loping at a distance from the hill. They were afraid to 
follow down the steps. They sent some bullets after him ; 
however, but one touched him, and that one went only 
through his hat. 

7. My other story is about General Washington. What 
I shall relate happened, I believe, at a time when a part 
of the American army was at West Point. West Point 
lies on the Hudson, sixty miles above New- York. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 85 

8. Not far from this place, a gentleman lived, whom 
General Washington frequently visited. He had been a 
tory ; but now pretended to be a real friend to America. 

9. One day, General Washington was at his house. 
" Will you do me the favour. General," said he, " to dine 
with me to-morrow afternoon V ' With all my heart,' 
said General Washington. " Come at two," said he ; 
*' please be punctual ; and for once. General, leave your 
guard at home : come like a real friend." 

10. The next day, at one o'clock^ General Washington 
mounted his horse, and, taking a bye road, in half an hour 
came to the house. The gentleman was glad to see him. 
" You are quite punctual," said he — " and all alone ?" 
* Yes,' replied the General, * no one with me.* 

11. Dinner was not yet ready. General Washington 
and the gentleman took a walk abroad. At some distance, 
they saw a party of horsemen approaching. ' What can 
this mean V asked W^ashington. The troop came nearer 
— they were dressed in British uniform. ' Bless me !' 
said Washington, ' what can this mean V at the same 
time looking at his friend. 

12. " Oh !" said the gentleman, " they seem to be a 
party of light horse. I believe they are British; but they 
probably mean no harm." General Washington stood 



86 child's history 

calm and collected. In a few minutes they came up, and 
the party dismounted. 

13. As they approached, the gentleman stepped up to 
General Washington, and tapping him on the shoulder, 
said, '' General, you are my prisoner.^^ ' No !' said Ge- 
neral Washington — ' you are mine. These, sir, are my 
men. I directed them to put on British uniform — I di- 
rected them to be here before your party arrived. You 
are my prisoner. And now, soldiers,' said he, ^ take this 
false friend to the American camp.' 

14. He iv>as accordingly taken to the American camp. 
But General Washington humanely forgave him, and re- 
leased him, upon condition that he should leave the coun- 
try for ever. 

15. I shall only add, that this man had been bribed to 
act the part he did, by the promise of an immense sum of 
money. General Washington suspected mischief, by his 
being requested to come precisely at Um o'clock, and to 
come without his guard. Who this gentleman was, I know 
not, but the story we believe to be true. 



OF THE UJNITED STATES. 



87 



1% 'r 



X^^Sl&l^:^^ ^^^ '^-~-' 




Capture of Major Andre, p. 91. 

LESSON XVI. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTIO?^.— BATTLE OF CAMDEN— FRENCH 
FLEET— ARNOLD'S CONSPIRACY. 

1 . We shall now hasten rapidly to the con- 
clusion of the war. After the year 1779, the 
principal theatre of the war was in the southern 
colonies. 

2. In August, 1780, occurred the " battle of 
Camden,^^ in South-Carolina. Camden lies 
one hundred and twenty miles north-west from 



88 

Charleston. It was a bloody battle, and very 
distressing to the Americans. 

3. A short time before the battle of Camden, 
a party of British entered New- Jersey^ and 
wickedly burned several villages. At one place, 
called " Connecticut Farms,^^ a British soldier 
walked up to the windows of the minister's 
house, and shot his wife in the midst of her 
little family. 

4. In July, an encouraging event occurred. 
This was the arrival in Rhode-Island of a fleet 
of men-of-war from France, with six thousand 
French soldiers, to help the Americans in the 
war. 

5. The next month, September, a very base 
plot was discovered, which came well nigh 
ruining America. This was no other than a 
plan to deliver West Point into the hands of 
the British. This plan was formed by General 
Arnold, who commanded at West Point, and 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 89 

Major Andre, a British officer. But General 
Washington discovered the plot, and defeated 
it. Arnold escaped ; but Andre was taken, 
and hung as a spy. Arnold was a traitor, and 
for ever disgraced his name. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. After the year 1779; where was the war chiefly carried on ? 

2. In what year did the battle of Camden occur ? In what state is Cam- 
den ? How far from Charleston ? Which way ? What is said of this 
battle ? 

3. What is said of a party of British who entered New-Jersey a little 
before the battle of Camden ? What took place at Connecticut Farms ? 

4. What force arrived in America in July to help on the war ? How 
many men came from France ? 

5. What plot was discovered in September ? "What was the design of 
this plot ? Who formed it ? Who discovered and defeated it ? What 
became of Arnold ? What of Andre ? What was Arnold ? 



STORY. 

1. You will like to hear more about General Arnold and 
Major Andre. 

2. General Arnold, I told you, was in command of West 
Point, an important fortress on Hudson River, 60 miles 
above New- York. The importance of this post the British 



90 child's history 

well understood, and secretly offered Arnold thirty thou- 
sand pounds sterling to deliver it into their hands. 

3. But could an American officer, an American ^«ifno?, 
be bribed ? Arnold was no patriot. He had conducted 
improperly some time before, and by ord^r of a court-mar- 
tial, General Washington had reprimanded him. This he 
so much resented, that in anger he left the army, and 
determined upon revenge. 

4. At length, he pretended to regret his conduct ; he 
said he wished to serve his country — he wished to shew 
his patriotism, and he begged that he might have the com- 
mand of West Point. 

5. This was all pretence. His heart was black, his 
intentions base. General Washington suspected him not 
— no one suspected his object, and the command of West 
Point was given to him. 

6. No sooner had he taken the command of this post, 
than he wrote to the British general in New- York to send 
some one, with whom he might arrange matters to deliver 
it up. 

7. The British general revealed the secret to Major 
Andre, a young officer in the British army, who sailed up 
the river in a sloop of war called the Vulture. On his 
arrival near West Point, he and Arnold had an interview, 



OF THE UNITED STATES, 



91 



under cover of night, and there did the infamous American 
o-eneral agree to deliver up the fortress— there plotted the 
ruin of his country. 

8. A merciful Providence, however, defeated the plan, 
Andre attempted to return to New-York by land. On the 
way, he was seized by three American soldiers, to whom 
he offered all he had to be released. But they were not 
to be^ bribed. They took him to an American officer in 
the neio-hbourhood, and by him he was delivered to Wash- 

° % 

ington. 

9. Andre was in the morning of life—'' fair, graceful, 
and accomplished." But for this one deed of infamy, his 
character was without reproach. It was painful for the 
court-martial which tried him to condemn him ; but he 
was a spij, and they felt obliged by their oath to pronounce 
him guilty. It was painful for Washington to sign his 
death-warrant— but this duti/ required. 

10. That was a sorrowful day through all the American 
army, when Andre was hung. But according to the rules 
of war, it could not be otherwise. It would not do to par- 
donshim. All knew this— all felt it— yet many were the 
tears which were shed by officers and soldiers, when the 
noble and manly form of Andre ascended the scaffold to 
be hung. 



92 child's HISTORY 

11. Had it been Arnold, no tears would have been shed. 
But a mysterious Providence suffered that guilty man to 
escape. He fled to New- York, and entered the British 
service, to fight against his country. 

12. Before Andre's death, Washington was bent on 
taking Arnold ; and could he effect this, he might, perhaps, 
secure the pardon of the former. 

13. Arnold, I said, was in New- York. Washington 
thought of a plan, and when he had matured it, he sent for 
an officer by the name of Major Lee. 

14. *' Lee," said he, as that officer entered, *' read these 
papers— they will inform you of a plan by which I hope 
to take Arnold, and save Andre." When Major Lee had 
finished reading the papers, Washington inquired, '' Do you 
know a man who is qualified — one who can be trusted ?" 

15. Lee thought, and replied, he did. His name was 
Champe—he was a serjeant— he was honest, and brave, and 
persevering. " Well," said Washington, " go and tell him 
the plan— tell him of the trust reposed in him— tell him 
of the danger— tell him that I will reward him." 

16. Champe hesitated— but at length consented ; -and 
that very night was on his way towards New- York, urging 
forward a fleet horse to escape, if possible, any who might 
pursue him as a deserter. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 93 

17. Champe was pursued by a party hastily formed for 
that purpose. He had been seen secretly leaving the camp, 
and the captain of the day took him for a deserter. Lee 
could not well reveal the secret, and as Champe had the 
start, he bid the party take him if they could. 

18. Champe, I said, fled. He thought he might be 
pursued, and he went as on the wings of the wind. In the 

I morning, the pursuing party saw him at a distance, and 
'pressed on with redoubled speed. Champe saw them 
coming, and pressed on still more rapidly ; on arriving at 

I the river, he leaped from his horse into the water — swam 

'Ho a boat, on board of which he was taken to a British 

[ vessel, and conveyed to New- York. 

19. Here he found where Arnold lodged, and one dark 
night had contrived a plan to seize him, and convey him 
across the Hudson, where Lee was to be in readiness to 
conduct him to Washing-ton. 

o 

20. Before the time arrived, however, Arnold was safe. 
He had suddenly, and to Champe unexpectedly, changed 
his quarters, in order to go on board a vessel sailing with 
troops to Virginia. 

21. On board a vessel, Champe sailed at the same time, 
as a soldier in the British service. But on arriving in 
Virginia, he deserted, and returned to the American army. 



^^ child's history 

Washington did as he had promised, and Champe was 
permitted to leave the army, with a handsome reward. 

22. I shall only add respecting Arnold, that after the 
war he went to England, where in 1801 he died, justly 
despised, not only in America, the land of his birth, but 
even in all England, by every one who laid any claim to the 
character of a patriot and an honourable man. 




OF THE UNITED STATES, 



95 




General V/ashington taking leave of his officers, p. 98. 

LESSON XVII. 

WAR OF THE REVOLUTION.-BATTLE OF YORKTOWN-BURNING 
OF NEW-LONDON— PEACE. 

1. On the nineteenth of October, 1781, the 
great " hattle of Yorktoivii^^ was fought. York- 
town is a small village on York River, in Vir- 
ginia. 

2. In this battle, Lord Cornwallis command- 
ed the British. General Washington com- 
manded the Americans. Every thing was now 



96 child's history 

at stake. If the Americans could prove victo- 
rious in this battle, they might be free and 
indeiDendent. 

3. They loere victorious. They had the joy 
to see seven thousand British soldiers lay down 
their arms, and Lord Cornwallis surrender his 
sword to General Washington. 

4. This was a great triumph for the Ameri- 
cans, and spread joy throughout all the land. 

5. While things were going on so prosper- 
ously for the Americans at Yorktown, a sad 
event took place in Connecticut. General 
Arnold came from New-York, in a vessel, with 
troops— took fort Trumbull and fort Griswold. 
The American troops in this latter fort were 
cruelly put to death, and New-London was 
burned. 

6. The war now ended. Peace was made 
November 30, 1782. In 1783, November 3, 
the American army was disbanded. December 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 97 

23, General Washington resigned bis commis- 
sion as commander-in-chief of the American 



armies. 



QUESTIONS. 

1. Wlien did the battle of Yorktown take place ? Where is Yorktown ? 

2. In this battle, who commanded the British ? Who commanded the 
Americans ? 

3. Who were victorious ? Kow many British soldiers laid down their 
arms ? 

4. What is said of this triumph ? 

5. What sad event took place about this time in Connecticut ? What 
forts were taken ? What troops were butchered ? What town was burned ? 

(). When was peace made ? When was the American army disbanded? 
When did General Washington resign his commissions ? 



STORY. 

1. Thus ended a long and distressing war. The Ame- 
ricans had suffered much. Many a brave soldier, and a 
brave officer, had gone to their graves. But the people 
were now free and independent. 

2. General Washington had done himself immortal 
honour, and so had La Fayette, and Putnam, and Gates, 
and many others, who had fought with him. 

H 



98 



child's history 



3. It was a trying time, when General Washington took 
leave of the army. The soldiers loved him, and many a 
tear was shed when he bid them adieu. 

4. It was a trying time, too, when he took leave of his 
officers. He met them at New- York. He entered the 
room where they were. He called for a glass of wine ; 
and while he held it in his hand, and before he drank it, 
he said, " Companions in arms ! with love and gratitude 
I now take my leave of you. May your latter days be as 
prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glo- 
rious and honourable." 

5. Taking them by the hand, he bade them farewell. 
They followed him to the side of the Hudson ; and, as he 
entered the boat which was to convey him away, tears 
rolled down his cheeks, and down theirs. Waving his 
hand as he departed, he bade them a silent adieu. 

6. Another trying hour soon came. He appeared in 
the Hall of Congress, and laid his commission upon the 
table. This was the greatest and noblest action of his 
life. Men generally feel reluctant to surrender power. He 
did it with pleasure — did it nobly — and having done it, 
hastened to his house, at Mount Vernon, in Virginia. 



OF THE UrvlTED STATES. 



99 




General Wasliiiigton and Uie Irisjunan. p. 10:?. 



LESSON XVIII. 

FEDERAL CONSTITUTION— WASHINGTON, PRESIDENT, 

1. The war now being over, and the people 
being free and independent, they had a right 
to govern themselves. 

2. September 17, 1787, the ''Federal Con- 
stitution'^'' was adopted. A constitution is a 
body of rules, by which people are e^overned. 



100 child's history 

It was called " Federal,^^ because the several 
states united or leagued together to adopt it. 

3. General Washington was elected the first 
President. John Adams was elected Vice- 
President. 

4. On the 30th April, 1789, General Wash- 
ington was inducted into office, in the presence 
of Congress and of a multitude of spectators. 

5. General Washington continued in office 
eight years. Under his administration, the 
United States, as they were now called, greatly 
flourished ; and when he retired, it was said 
of him, '' That he was first in war — first in 
peace — first in the hearts of his countrymen." 

QUESTIONS. 

1. The war being over, what right had the people ? 

2. When was the Federal Constitution adopted ? What is a Constitu- 
tion ? Why was it called Federal ? 

3. Who was elected first President ? Who Vice-President ? 

4. When was General Washington inducted into office ? 

6. How long did he continue in office ? Did the country flnurisli while 
he was President ? What was said of him, when he retired ? 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 101 

STORY. 

1. I have told you something about General Washington. 
I could tell you much more. You ought to know, if you 
do not already know, that he was as much beloved as a 
President, as he was as a general of the army. 

2. He was a man of great kindness, and took much 
pleasure in doing good to the old revolutionary soldiers. 
He never turned away from any one, however poor. 

3. I will tell you how he one day treated an old soldier 
who came to see him. It was on a certain day, called 
levee day ; that is, when great persons call to pay their 
respects to the President. 

4. Just about the time the company were expected, an 
Irishman rapped,, at the door. The porter stood ready to 
open the door, expecting to admit some very distinguished 
man ; when lo ! an Irishman stood before him. He was 
a sad object to look at, but he had been a soldier in the 
revolutionary war, and he had come to pay General Wash- 
ington a visit. 

5. " Is his honour at home ?" asked the Irishman. 
* Yes,' replied the porter, ' but you cannot see him : he 
is expecting company.' " Well 1" said Pat, " I suppose 
I may come in?" 'No, you shall not come in.' "But 
I will come in" — and in he walked, and took a seat. 

6. The company soon arrived — Ministers of state, and 



102 child's history 

Senators, and Judges — the great men and the gay ; and 
there sat Pat, the whole time, with his hat under his arm, 
looking about, and thinking as how it was the finest 
company he was ever in. 

7. No one disturbed him, and he disturbed no one. At 
length, the company retired ; upon which the porter told 
the President that there was an obstinate Irishman there. 
" Some old soldier, probably," said the President. '' Let 
me sec him." 

8. The Irishman rose, as his old general approached, 
and roared out, " Long life to your honour's excellency !" 
at the same time he swung his hat, and, at length, hurled 
it on to the floor, and stood as straight and precise as he 
once did on the battle ground. 

9. " May it plase your honour," said Pat, " I was once 
your honour's soldier, and I have marched under your 
honour's orders, and many's the hard knock I have had 
too ; and I was wounded in the battle of Germantown, 
may it plase your honour ; but they didn't kill me, for I 
believe I am alive yet — Hurra for America ! — Hurra for 
Washington ! — and it does my heart good to see your 
honour once more. And how is the dear leddy and the 
little ones ?" 

10. Washington could contain himself no longer. He 
laughed heartily ; and thanked Pat for inquiring about 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 



103 



Mrs. Washington, who, he said, was well ; but as for the 
little ones, unfortunately he had none. 

11. ''Bless your honour," said Pat, " and I wish you 
had a thousand, and that they were all like your honour's 
self" Well did Washington know what Pat was after ; 
and slipping a piece of money into his hand, he retired — 
'' Hurra for Washington !" said Pat, as he put it into his 
pocket. 

12. Having recovered his hat, he took up his line of 
march for the door ; and as he passed the porter, he pulled 
from his pocket the money, and called out, " There, now, 
you Hessian! see how his honour's excellence remembers 
an old soldier. Hurra for Washington !" 




^^^t.^^^^ 



104 



CHILD'S HISTORY 




Mrs. Fries supplicating President Adams to pardon her Husband, p. 109. 

LESSON XIX. 

JOHN ADAMS, PRESIDENT. 

L In 1797, Gen. Washington declined being 
President again. John Adams was now chosen ^ I 
President, and Thomas Jefferson Vice-President. 

2. The state of the country, at the time Mr. 
Adams was elected President, was prosperous. 
But soon after, France threatened to make war 
upon the United States. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 105 

3. War being expected, Congress ordered 
an army to be raised, and appointed General 
Washington to command it. The difficulty, 
however, was settled, and the army reduced. 

4. On the 14th December, 1799, General 
Washington died. This event filled the country 
with gloom. Every one felt that he himself 
had sustained a great loss. 

5. In 1800, the city of Washington became 
the seat of government. Before this time. Con- 
gress had met in the city of Philadelphia. 

6. In 1801, Mr. Adams' term of office as 
President expired ; and Thomas Jefferson was 
chosen President in his room. Aaron Burr was 
chosen Vice-President. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When was John Adams chosen President ? Wlio was cliosen Vice- 
President ? 



106 child's history 

2. What was the state of the country at this time ? What nation soon 
after threatened the United States with war ? 

3. What did Congress do upon this ? Whom did they appoint to com- 
mand the army ? What took place, however ? 

4. When did General Washington die ? What is said of this event ? 

5. When did the city of Washington become the seat of government ? 

6. When was Mr. Jefferson chosen President ? Who was chosen Vice- 
President ? 



STORY. 

1. I have two stories to tell about this elder President 
Adams. The one relating to his courage : the other to 
his humanity — both excellent traits in any man's character. 

2. In the year 1778, while the War of the Revolution 
was still going on, Congress appointed Mr. Adams ambas- 
sador to France. A frigate, called the Boston, was fitted 
out to convey him to that country. The commander was 
a brave man, by the name of Capt. Tucker. 

3. The ocean, at that time, was thronged with British 
armed vessels, watching for American ships. A voyage, 
therefore, was attended with no small hazard. 

4. A few days after sailing, a British ship of war was 
discovered. The sight of her caused no ordinary emotions 
in the breast of Capt. Tucker. But it was not fear- — no ! 
fear was a stranger there. " Oh !" thought he, " what an 
opportunity to do my country honour !" 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 107 

5. Mr. Adams perceived the workings of his patriotic 
spirit. * Do you wish to fight her V asked the ambassa- 
dor. " With all my heart," replied the animated captain. 
" Had I your leave, we would soon be down upon her." 
' Well, captain,' said the ambassador, * you have my leave; 
we will all share the honour in the brush.' 

6. *^ Ah ! your excellency," exclaimed the captain, 
'* there's the rub. My orders are to convey you safely. 
There must be no fighting, unless you go below." ' Be- 
low ! below !' exclaimed the ambassador, * / go below ! 
Well, I will go below— but — ' 

7. The captain knew not the spirit of the man he 
carried, and now scarcely attended to any thing but getting 
his vessel ready for action. Every sail was immediately 
spread — every gun was loaded and manned. 

S. The battle opened at a distance, and as the ships 
neared each other, the broadsides were more frequent, 
while smaller arms filled up the intervals. Mr. Adams 
sat in the cabin peaceably for a time ; but, at length, the 
action growing warm, he could stay — he would stay — no 
longer ; he rushed on deck ; he seized a musket, and was 
doing his duty like a hero with the men, when he was 
discovered by Capt. Tucker. 

9. '^What!" exclaimed the latter — ''your excellency 



108 

here ? you promised to stay below. Shall I order you 
away ?" ' Yes, if you please/ said Mr. Adams, ' but I 
will fight while I stay.' And well he did fight : but the 
Captain said it would not do, and when Mr. Adams, at 
length, refused to retire, the resolute captain seized him, 
and bore him in his arms by force to the cabin. 

10. My other story about Mr. Adams, relates to his hu- 
manity. The incident occurred while he was President. 

11. A certain man, by the name of John Fries, had been 
concerned with others in an insurrection in Pennsylvania, 
and on a charge of treason was tried and condemned to 
death. This sentence, Mr. Adams, as President, approved. 

12. Fries was an old man. He had a wife and ten 
children. Several of the childen were small — one was an 
infant at the breast. It was thought a pity by many in 
Philadelphia, that a man so old, with a family so depen- 
dent, should be hung. 

13. It was accordingly agreed to send a petition abroad 
among the inhabitants to be signed, begging the President 
to pardon the aged offender. The petition circulated, and 
several thousands added their names to it. 

14. When ready, the petition was handed to Mrs. Fries, 
who with her infant in her arms, and her nine children, 
all were seen going to present it to President Adams. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 



109 



15. Being invited in, they entered the room where the 
President sat ; and ere he was aware, the afflicted mother 
and all her children were on their knees before him. She 
presented the petition ; she begged him to spare her hus- 
band : and the children sobbing, begged him to spare 
their father. 

16. It was a moment of surpassing interest. He cast 
his eye over the petition — he looked round upon the pros- 
trate, supplicating group. Tears gushed from his eyes. 
He rose — raised his hands to heaven — rushed from the 
room to his closet, and seizing a pen, wrote a full and 
free pardon, which he presented to the grateful wife and 
her now happy children. 




110 



child's history 




The life of Lieutenant Decatur 



saved by a sailor, p. 117. 



LESSON XX. 

THOMAS JEFFERSON, PRESIDENT. 

1. In 1801, as I said, Mr. Jefferson became 
President of the United States. He continued 
in office eight years. 

2. In 1804, a sad event event took place. 
This w^as a duel w^hich was fought between 
Colonel Burr, Vice-President of the United 
States, and General Hamilton, who was a 



OF THE UNITED STATES. Ill 

highly distmguished man, and much respected 
by many people in the United States. General 
Hamilton was killed. 

3. In 1805, peace was made between the 
United States and Tripoli, a country in Africa, 
lying in the Mediterranean Sea. This people 
had done much injury to the Americans, in 
taking vessels in the Mediterranean Sea be- 
longing to American merchants, and in abusing 
their crews. 

4. In 1806, Colonel Burr, who had killed 
General Hamilton, attempted to set up a new 
government in the southern part of the United 
States. He intended that New-Orleans should 
be his seat of government. But his plan was 
found out, and he was tried. Almost every one 
believed him guilty ; but it could not be proved, 
and he was released. 

5. About this time, 1806, France and En- 
gland were at ivar with each other ; and both 



112 child's history 

did all in their power to injure the United 
States. They were very jealous of the people 
here, and tried to provoke a quarrel with them. 

6. In 1807, June 22d, a British frigate, 
called the Leopard^ attacked the American fri- 
gate Chesapeake^ and killed three men. The 
attack was made, because, it was said by the 
British, on board the Chesapeake were some 
of their men. This attack roused the Ame- 
ricans ; and things now began to look like war. 

7. On the 2d of July, Mr. Jefferson issued 
a proclamation, forbidding any ships of war 
from England to enter the harbours of the 
United States, till England should make satis- 
faction for the attack upon the Chesapeake. 

8. At this time, Mr. Monroe, who was after- 
wards President of the United States, was 
Minister to England. Letters were written 
to him, to demand satisfaction of the English 
government. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 113 

9. As difficulties, however, seemed to in- 
crease, Mr. Jefferson directed Congress to 
meet at Washington, Oct. 27th, to determine 
what was best to be done. When Congress 
met, it was deemed prudent to equip one hun- 
dred thousand of the militia, to build eighty 
or ninety gun-boats, and to build and repair 
fortifications. 

10. After a little time, these measures were 
thought insufficient. On the 22d of Decem- 
ber, therefore, an embargo was laid on all ves- 
sels in port, by which they were forbidden to 
depart. 

11. But even an embargo was found insuffi- 
cient. This, therefore, was repealed March 
1st, 1809 ; and, at the same time, ?i no^i-inter- 
course law was passed, by which it was ordain- 
ed, that no more trade, either with England or 
France, should be carried on, till difficulties 
were settled. 



114 child's history 

12. Such was the state of things on the 4th 
of March, 1809, when Mr. Jefferson reth'ed 
from office. James Madison was chosen to 
succeed him as President ; and George Clin- 
ton was elected Vice-President. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When did Mr. Jefferson become President of the United States? 
How long did he continue in office ? 

2. In 1804, what sad event took place ? Who was killed ? 

3. In 1805, what peace was made ? Where is Tripoli? What injury 
had the people of that country done ? 

4. In 1806, what did Col. Burr attempt to set up ? What place was to 
be the capital of his government? What is said of his plan ? Why was 
he released ? 

5. What is said of France and England in 1806? How did they treat 
the United States ? How long did he continue in office ? Why did they 
treat them thus ? 

6. What took place in 1807 ? Why was this attack made ? How did 
the Americans feel about this ? 

7. When did Mr. Jefferson issue a proclamation ? What did the pro- 
clamation forbid ? 

8. Who was at this time minister to England ? What was he directed 
to do? 

9. Whom did Mr. Jefferson call together ? Why ? Where ? What 
did Congress do ? 

10. What next took place ? When was the embargo laid ? What is 
meant by an embargo ? Why was it laid ? 

11. Did the embargo answer the purpose for which it was laid ? What 
became of it ? What was enacted in its place ? What did the non-inter- 
course law order ? 

12. When did Mr. Jefferson retire from office ? Who succeeded him ? 
Who became Vice-President ? 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 115 

STORY. 

1. The lesson which you have now learned would fur- 
nish me with several interesting stories, had I time to re- 
late them. I might give you some particulars about the 
duel between Col. Burr and Gen. Hamilton. This was 
truly a sad piece of business. Col. Burr was Vice-Presi- 
dent of the United States. Gen. Hamilton had been aid 
to Gen. Washington during the war, and had filled several 
offices of distinction. 

2. Both were great men. Both might have been useful 
for many years. What a bad example they set ! What a 
crime did they commit ! Gen. Hamilton was killed. 
Every one thought him to be a foolish man. As to Col. 
Burr, few have either loved or respected him since. Who 
can love or respect a duellist ? 

3. I might tell an interesting story, also, about the war 
with Tripoli. I can give, however, only a few particulars. 

4. Tripoli lies, as I have said, on the coast of Africa. 
The people of that country are much like the Algerines, 
about whose cruel piracies almost every one has heard. 

5. For a long time the Tripolitan cruisers, as they were 
called, had ill-treated merchant vessels from America. 
These vessels were often taken, their cargoes were plun- 
dered, and the crews sold into slavery. 



116 child's history 

6. In 1803, Commodore Preble was sent with a fleet, to 
chastise the people of Tripoli. Soon after he sailed, Capt. 
Bainbridge was sent in the frigate Philadelphia, to assist 
him. On the arrival of the latter, a piratical vessel from 
Tripoli was chased into the harbour of Tripoli. Unfortu- 
nately, the Philadelphia grounded, and Capt. Bainbridge 
and his crew were taken and carried to Tripoli, where 
they were loaded with irons, and thrust into a dungeon, 

7. Lieutenant Decatur, afterwards Commodore Deca- 
tur, was at this time with Commodore Preble. Desirous 
of distinguishing himself, by permission he took a boat 
called a Xebec, and with twenty men sailed for the Phila- 
delphia, to set her on fire. 

8. It was now night. Many Tripolitans had been 
placed on board the Philadelphia, as a guard. And as the 
Xebec approached, they cried, " Who is there?" 

9. A man on board the Xebec, who could speak in the 
language of the people of Tripoli, replied — ' We've no 
anchor, let us make fast to the frigate, or we shall be blown 
away.' 

10. ''You may make fast to the hmvscr,'' said they, 
" till we can ask leave of the Admiral." The hawser is a 
kind of rope, or cable. This being done, a boat put off 
from the Philadelphia to ask permission of the Admiral for 
the boat to be made fast to the frigate. 



OF THE Ur^ITED STATES. 117 

11. No sooner had the boat gone, however, than Lieut. 
Decatur and his men leaped on board the Philadelphia. 
Oh ! what a scene soon took place ! What carnage was 
there ! In a few minutes, fifty Tripolitans were reeking in 
blood on the deck. Not one escaped. The vessel was 
set on fire, and the flames rose. 

12. And as they rose, the Americans leaped into their 
boat, and all but two returned in safety to Commodore 
Preble. One American was killed, and one was wounded. 
The sailor who was wounded, was a brave, generous tar. 
He saved the life of Decatur. The latter accidentally fell, 
and a sabre was coming down upon him — a moment longer, 
and he would have been no more. The sailor leaped 
forward, extended his arm, and took the blow himself. It 
severed his arm, but it saved the life of his brave commo- 
dore. 

13. I will only add, that in consequence of the burning 
of the Philadelphia, the sufferings of Capt. Bainbridge and 
his crew were much increased. But not long after, the 
war was brought to a close by Gen. Eaton ; and a treaty 
of peace was made, by which all American prisoners were 
released. 

14. My little readers would like, no doubt, also to read 
some particulars about the plan of Col. Burr, after he had 



118 child's history 

killed Gen. Hamilton, to form a new government. I wish 
I had room for the story. It was a wicked plot which he 
contrived : it was what is called treason. But it could 
not hQ proved, and he was released. 

15. I have time to add only a few lines about Mr. Jeffer- 
son. Different opinions exist about him as a President. 
But all unite in praising him for one thing, the Declara- 
tion of Independence. This he wrote. It was a bold, 
manly, and noble production. It will add honour to his 
name, while America lasts. 

16. The Declaration was written in 1776. It was read 
and adopted July 4th, of that year. And the man who 
urged its adoption, who pressed it forward, more than any 
other, was John Adams. 

17. Now mark a wonderful circumstance. Just fifty 
years from that year — from that day — these two men di- 
ed — died within two or three hours of each other — died 
while the people in all parts of the United States were 
celebrating independence. 

18. This was a wonderful coincidence ! It was thought 
so here. It was thought so in England. And in that 
country, some said it was almost too wonderful to be true. 
But it was true, wonderful as it did appear. 

19. Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Indepen- 



OF THE UNITED STATES, 



119 



dence. Now but one of them all remains — Charles Car- 
roll, of Carollton, in Maryland. The rest moulder under 
ground. He lives, an old man — may he yet live for 
years. But though death must come to him — to all, as 
years roll away — may it not come to American Liberty, 
till time shall be no longer. 




CHILD'S HISTORY 




A British Midshipman receiving a severe wouud. p. 127. 



LESSON XXL 



JAMES MADISON, PHESIDENT.— WAR WITH E^VGLAND. 

1. Mr. Madison became President on the 
4th of March, 1809, and continued in office 
eight years. 

2. The difficulties between the United States 
and England, which began while Mr. Jeffer- 
son w^as President, still continued, and became 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 121 

Still more serious. Some attempts were made 
to settle them, but without effect. 

3. In May, 1811, these difficulties were 
much increased by an attack of a British sloop- 
of-war, called the Little Belt, upon the Ame- 
rican frigate President. This was an unpro- 
voked attack, and filled the Americans with 
just indignation. 

4. In this state of things, Mr. Madison as- 
sembled Congress. They met in November, 
and on the 4th of June following (1812), de- 
clared war against England. This is called 
" Madisonh War,^^ because it was declared 
while he was President. 

5. This declaration of war gave offence to 
many. They thought it unnecessary. They 
thought the difficulties might have been set- 
tled without resorting to arms. When my 
pupils are older, they can form an opinion for 
themselves. 



122 child's history 

6. It would make too large a volume to tell 
all about this war. On the land^ the Ame- 
rican army did not appear to much advantage. 
They attempted to take Canada, but failed to 
effect their object. On the water ^ the navy 
did much execution, and acquired signal honour. 

7. The first naval battle was between the 
United States frigate Constitution, and the 
British frigate Guerriere, This w^as a dread- 
ful engagement. The vessels were nearly 
equal, as to men and guns. Yet the British 
frigate was entirely dismasted, and otherwise 
so much injured, that she w^as set on fire by 
her conquerors, and consumed. 

8. A second naval victory soon followed. 
This was the capture of the Macedonian, by 
the American frigate United States. The 
brave Commodore Decatur commanded the 
American frigate. In the action, the carpen- 
ter of the Macedonian was killed. He had 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 123 

three little children, who were left to the care 
of their mother, who was a worthless woman. 
The American tars finding this out, gave the 
children 800 dollars from their wages. This 
was noble ! 

9. Next came the capture of the Java by the 
Constitution, and that of the Peacock by the 
Hornet. In this latter engagement, the Pea- 
cock struck in fifteen minutes. I am sorry to 
add, that so many balls had passed through 
her hull, that she sunk before all her men could 
be taken off. 

10. You have heard, I presume, of the bat- 
tle on Lake Erie, This was between two 
fleets. Commodore Perry commanded the Ame- 
rican fleet, and after a desperate battle took 
the whole British fleet. He then sat down, 
and announced the victory in thes6 words : 
" We have met the enemy, and they are ours^ 
This battle was fought Sept. 10, 1813. 



124 child's history 

11. The next year, 1814, August 23, six 
thousand British troops came up the Chesa- 
peake, and took Washington^ and burnt the 
capitol and the President's house. It was no 
credit to the Americans to suffer such an out- 
rage, and was a disgrace to the British to be 
guiltj of it. 

12. On the 11th of September, was fought 
a celebrated naval battle, on Lake Champlcmi, 
between an American and British fleet. The 
British fleet consisted of seventeen vessels ; 
that of the Americans of fourteen. The for- 
mer had the advantage over the latter, both as 
to guns and men ; jet the victory was so com- 
plete, that nearly the whole fleet fell into the 
hands of Commodore M'Donnough, the Ame- 
rican Commander. 

1 3. On the 24th of December, 1 8 1 4, a treaty 
of peace was signed between the United States 
and England, which put an end to the war. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 125 

14. This treaty was signed at Ghent, in the 
Netherlands, at which place men from the 
United States and England met to settle all 
difficulties. Before the news arrived that 
peace had been agreed upon, the famous " bat- 
tle of New-Orleans'^^ took place. It was fought 
on the 8th of January, 1815. Gen. Jackson 
commanded the Americans, and obtained a 
splendid victory. In this battle, the British 
General Packenham was killed. 

15. In 1817, Mr. Madison retired from 
office, and James Munroe was chosen Presi- 
dent. Daniel D. Tompkins was chosen Vice- 
President. 

QUESTIO^^S. 

1. When did Mr. Madison become President? How long was he in 
office ^ 

2. What is said of the difficulties which commenced while Mr. Jefferson 
was President ? What of the attempts to settle thorn • . , „ 

3. When were th^se diff.culties increased ? By what circumstance .' 
\\Tiat effect had this attack upon the American people ? 

4. What did Mr. Madison do ? Where did Congress meet ? W hen 
was war declared 1 What is this war called ? Why ? 

5. Wliat was thought of this war by many ? Why ? 



126 child's history 

6. In this war, how did the land forces appear ? What did they attempt ? 
Did the enterprise succeed ? What is said of the naval force ? 

7. Between what vessels was the first engagement ? Was it severe ? 
Were the vessels nearly equal ? Which gained the victory ? 

8. Between what vessels was the second engagement 1 Who com- 
manded the American frigate ? What story is told of the carpenter of 
the Macedonian ? 

9. What engagement next followed ? What next ? How soon did the 
Peacock strike ? What is said of a part of her crew ? 

10. What engagement took place on Lake Erie ? Who commanded 
the American fleet? Who conquered ? What language did Commodore 
Perry use, when he announced the victory ? When was this battle fought ? 

11. When did the British take Washington? What did they burn ? 
What is said of this attack ? 

12. When did the engagement take place on Lake Champlain ? Be- 
tween what ? How many vessels had the British ? How many the Ame- 
ricans ? Which had the advantage ? Which conquered ? 

13. When was a treaty of peace signed ? 

14. Where was this treaty signed ? Before the news arrived, what 
battle took place ? Where? Who commanded the Americans ? Who 
obtained the victory ? What British General was killed ? 

15. When did Mr. Madison leave the Presidential chair ? Who suc- 
ceeded him ? Who was chosen Vice-President ? 



STORY. 

1. I might fill sheets with stories relating to the war, 
which I doubt not would greatly interest my readers. I 
could tell them of wonderful adventures — of hair-breadth 
escapes — of battles — of victories — of defeats. But I have 
room for but one story, and only a short one. The one 
I think of is affecting. 

2. In Sept. 1814, a British squadron appeared off Ston- 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 127 

ington, commanded by Sir Thomas Hardy. This is a 
small village, in the eastern part of Connecticut. Soon 
after the appearance of the squadron, a British boat was 
seen coming into the harbour. What could this mean ? 

3. In a few minutes a man landed from the boat, who 
bid the people remove the women and children, if they 
pleased, to a place of safety, for the town was soon to be 
laid in ashes. 

4. Why such a cruel and unprovoked attack was made, 
I cannot say. What the people of Stonington had done 
to merit this, probably no one can tell. But an attack was 
made, and a dreadful one it was. 

5. But the people were brave ; and bravely did they de- 
fend themselves. In the course of the attack, several 
barges filled with British soldiers, attempted to land. Some 
of these barges were sunk. One drifted on shore, and in 
it was found a wounded midshipman. 

6. It was a desperate wound which he had received ; 
and it would not have been singular, had he been neglect- 
ed. But no — although an enemy, he was kindly taken 
care of. He was young — handsome — brave — generous — 
a noble young man, though he was an enemy. Every one 
offered assistance — the old and the young seemed inter- 
ested in him, and the physicians tried their utmost skill. 



128 child's history 

7. But it was all in vain. Death came, and he died. 
With kindness was he buried, and with the honours of 
war ; and many a tear was shed over one, who had thus 
fallen in a land of strangers. 

8. Months rolled on. The war ended, and the events 
of the war were beginning to pass away ; when one day, 
an elderly gentleman drove up to the village inn, and 
alighted. 

9. He was evidently a foreigner, and a venerable man. 
'' Sir," said he to the landlord, '* during the late war this 
village, I think, suffered an attack." 

10. ' It did,' replied the landlord. ** Was there a Bri- 
tish officer killed at that time?" inquired the stranger. 
* There was one wounded, who afterwads died among us,' 
said the landlord. * He was a youth in whom every one 
was interested, and could attention have saved him, he 
would not have died,' 

11. The old man's eyes were lifted to Heaven ! '* Will 
you shew me where he lies ?" inquired the stranger. The 
landlord now accompanied him to the spot, where he de- 
sired to be left alone. 

12. Late at night, he returned to the inn, where he 
lodged. • Early the following morning, he rose, and again 
repaired to the spot, where he spent several hours. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 129 

13. After a late breakfast, he called for his horse, and 
was about departing. ' Sir,' asked the landlord, may I 
venture to inquire whether the young midshipman was a 
relative of yours?' 

14. " Yes, sir, he loas a relative," replied the stranger. 
" He was a son — an only son — dearer to an old man's 
heart than all on earth besides. I have made this voyage 
with no other object than to find the spot where he was 
laid. I have found it — have seen it. I return contented. 
Thanks to God that he fell among a people who knew 
how to be generous even in war." 

15. I doubt not my readers will feel sad, when they 
think of the sorrows which war often causes : but how 
delightful to see among enemies such instances of noble 
generosity and kindness, as that which we have here re- 
lated ! 




K 



130 



child's history 




General Washington crossing the Delaware, p. 136. 

LESSON XXII. 

JAMES MO^'ROE, PRESIDENT. 

1. On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe 
was sworn into office, and continued in office 
for eight years. 

2. The war havhig now ^ended, the condi- 
tion of the country began to be more prospe- 
rous. Commerce revived in a measure ; and 
some manufacturing establishments were put 
in operation. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 131 

3. During the summer and autumn of this 
year, President Monroe made a tour through 
most of the states. The object of this toUr 
was to gain information as to the state of the 
country, so that he might better administer the 
government. He was treated wdth great re- 
spect and attention in his tour. 

4. During the session of Congress in 1817- 
18, a bill of much importance to the indigent 
officers and soldiers of the revolutionary army 
was passed. This provided to give twenty 
dollars per month to the former, and eight to 
the latter, during life. This was truly honour- 
able to the United States ; but no more than 
jiist^ in view of the toils and privations of those 
who had fought for American liberty. 

5. In 1818, the United States became in- 
volved in another war. This was with the 
Seminole Indians, These Indians lived partly 
in the United States, and partly in Florida, 



132 child's history 

The Indians were the aggressors. They com- 
mitted several murders upon white people ; 
and it became necessary to check them. 

6. Gen. Jackson was appointed to super- 
intend the war. In about a year, the Indians 
were subdued. But in conducting the war, 
Gen. Jackson was thought by many to have 
been unnecessarily severe. You can judge for 
yourselves, when you are older. 

7. The remainder of Mr. Monroe's adminis- 
tration was not marked by any event of impor- 
tance. The country continued to flourish. 
As a President, he was beloved and respected. 

8. In 1825, he retired from office with the 
good wishes of his country, and was succeeded 
by John Quincy Adams. John C. Calhoun 
was chosen Vice-President. 

QUESTIONS. 

1. When did Mr. Monroe become President ? How long did he con- 
tinue in office ? 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 133 

2. What is said of the condition of the country after the war ? What 
of commerce ? What of manufacturing establishments ? 

3. What tour did Mr. Monroe make in 1817 ? What was the object of 
this tour 1 How was he treated ? 

4. What bill passed Congress in 1817-18 ? What did it provide 1 
What is said of this measure ? 

o. What war took place in 1818 ? Where did these Indians live ? Who 
were the aggresors ? What did they do ? 

6. Who superintended the war? How long did it last? What did 
some think of Gen. Jackson's conduct in this war ? 

7. What is said of the remainder of Mr. Monroe's administration ? 

8. When did he retire from office ? Who succeeded him as President ? 
Who received the appointment of Vice-President ? 



STORY. 

1. Soon after Mr. Monroe became President, he made 
the tour, as I told you, of most of the states. This was 
in 1817. Most of my pupils were either not then born, 
or were too young to know what took place, as he passed 
through the country. 

2. It was a delightful spectacle to see the President of 
so large a country as the United States travel as Mr. 
Monroe did. In other countries, kings sometimes make 
a survey of their dominions. But tJiei/ travel in great 
state — in a splendid coach — with horses loaded with gold 
or silver plate — with numerous servants richly dressed — 
and an armed band of soldiers to guard them. And then, 



^^^ child's history 

there is so much pride and pomp, as if they were a higher 
order ofbeings-made only to be served, and their sub- 
jects only to submit. No common man may speak to 
them : he may think himself honoured to be allowed to 
look at them. 

3. But it was otherwise during the tour of Mr. Monroe 
He travelled in a respectable style. This was proper 
But his equipage was plain. He was a plain man, and 
kind and civil did he appear towards all who were pleased 
to call upon him. Men may be great, and yet free from 
odious pride. They may be high in office, and ^^^\ no 
disposition to trample others in the dust. 

4. The modest appearance of Mr. Monroe justly pleased 
the people. They had elevated him to the high sta- 
tion which he occupied, and he was not disposed \o des- 
pise them. Perceiving this, they paid him double honour. 
Citizens and soldiers— the old and the young— went forth 
to meet him as he approached ; bells were rung— cannon 
were fired— processions were formed— entertainments 
were made. Even those who had voted for another man 
to be President, bid him welcome, and aided to make his 
journey pleasant. 

5. What a peculiar, what a happy, country, my children, 
is ours ! What simplicity of manners ! what liberty is 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 135 

enjoyed ! what cqualiUj is preserved ! Did you live in 
England, you could indulge no hope of being King of that 
cou°ntry ; nor could you be Emperor of Russia, were you 
there. But in the United States, the most ragged little boy 
that runs in the street may rise. Office is open to all who 
behave. well. If you are a hoy, you may be the President 
of the United States in some future time : if a girl, you 
may be a President's wife. 

6. In travelling from Washington to New-York, Mr. 
Monroe passed through Trenton. This town lies in New- 
Jersey, on the east bank of the Delaware, 30 miles north- 
east from Philadelphia. This was an interesting spot to 
the President. Here was fought, Dec. 20, 1776, the 
celebrated battle of Trenton. At that time he was a lieu- 
tenant in the American army. There he fought, and was 
severely wounded. 

7. Before this battle, the prospect of the Americans was 
quite gloomy. The American army had been compelled 
to retreat into Delaware. But, at length, Vv'ashington 
roused by the sad prospect before him, said something 
was to be done, or the country would be ruined. A body 
of British, it was told, were at Trenton. Washington 
collected his troops on the banks of the Delaware, an 
determined to pass that river, and, if possible, take them 
by surprise. 



^^^ child's history 

8. A writer says, '* It was a dark, gloomy, and horrible 
night." A storm was raging. The hail rattled from 
above. The ice heaved, rolled, and tumbled, as the boats 
at midnight passed over the rapid currentof the Delaware. 
But a propitious Providence smiled upon the attempt. The 
passage was made in safety. The British were taken by 
surprise; their commander was killed, and their army 
captured. This was an important victory for the Ameri- 
cans. It raised their desponding hopes ; it roused them 
to higher action. 

9. During the above contest, Mr. Monroe was wounded 
by a bullet, which passed through his shoulder. It proved 
not to be mortal, but was very severe ; and long did he 
linger, and much did he suffer, before he recovered. Little 
d id he then think, that forty years from that time he should 
visit the same spot, welcomed by thousands of freemen, 
and himself the President of a peaceful, wide-spread^ and 
noble republic ! 




OF THE UNITED STATES. 



137 




The cheated Indian, p. 143. 



LESSON XXIII. 

JOHN Q.UINCY ADAMS, PRESIDENT. 

1. On the 4th of March, 1825, Mr. Adams 
took the usual oath to support the constitution, 
and became President of the United States. 
He held the office for four years. 

2. At the time a new President was to be 
chosen, the people w^ere much divided as to 
candidates. Some were for Mr. Adams ; some 



138 child's history 

for General Jackson ; others for Mr. Crawford ; 
and others still for Mr. Clay. No choice being 
made bj the people, it devolved on the House 
of Representatives in Congress to make the 
election. 

3. It was an occasion of deep interest, when 
tliey met to decide. Each of the several par- 
ties in the United States were anxious to have 
their candidate succeed. At length, the votes 
were given in and counted. Mr. Adams had 
87 ; Gen. Jackson 71 ; and Mr. Crawford 54. 
Mr. Adams having more than either of the 
others, was solemnly declared to be chosen. 

4. As a President, Mr. Adams was not as 
popular as some who had preceded him. Yet 
the country continued to flourish while he was 
in office. Peace with other nations prevailed. 
The great debt contracted for the war was 
diminished. Numerous canals, rail-roads, and 
other public improvements, were begun. 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 139 

6. During the years 1824 and 1825, the 
people of the United States were gratified 
with a visit from their old friend, Gen. La 
Fayette. At his own expense, he had come 
dm'ing the war of the revolution to aid them. 
He spent many thousands of dollars for us, 
and fought nobly for American Independence. 
During his visit, he was hailed as the friend 
and benefactor of America. It being under- 
stood that he was poor. Congress voted him 
two hundred thousand dollars, and a large tract 
of land. This was honourable to the nation ; 
yet it was due for what he had done and ex- 
pended during the war. On the 7th of Sept. 
1825, he sailed again for France. Congress 
despatched a new and beautiful frigate, called 
the Brandywine, to convey him home. 

6. The year 1825 was distinguished for the 
completion of the great Erie Canal, in the state 
of New- York. This canal is 360 miles in 



140 child's history 

length. It connects Lake Erie with Hudson 
River at Albany. It was begun July 4th, 1817. 
The first boat from Lake Erie arrived at New- 
York Oct. 4th, 1825. The whole expense of 
the canal was more than nine millions of dollars. 

7. On the 4th of July, 1826, occurred the 
deaths of the elder President Adams (the fa- 
ther of John Quincy Adams) and President 
Jefferson. This was just fifty years from the 
day Independence was declared. Both these 
great men assisted, in 1776, in framing the De- 
claration. It was wonderful that they should 
live 50 years from that date ; but more wonder- 
ful that both should die on the same day. 

8. In 1829, there was a new election of 
President. The people were again much di- 
vided. The two candidates were Mr. Adams 
and Gen. Jackson. Each had powerful friends. 
Much was said and written for and against 
them by their respective parties. But when 



OF THE UNITED STATES, 



141 



the time arrived for the electors— that is, the 
persons appointed by the people to elect a Pre- 
sident—to give their votes, it was found that 
Gen. Jackson had 178 votes, and Mr. Adams 

but 83. 

9. Gen. Jackson being elected, was sworn 
into office on the 4th of March, 1829. He is 
now the President of the United States. Should 
he live, he will continue in office till 1832, 
when a new election will take place. Some 
think he will be elected again ; others predict 
that Mr. Clay or Mr. Calhoun will be chosen. 
Time will tell. 

QUESTION'S. 

1. When did Mr. Adams enter upon the office of President? How 
long did he continue in office ? ^-^^ Mr Adims '' Who besides him 

2 Were the people united in choosing ^l^. Adams vw 
were candidates l Did the people make any choice ? Who decmea xn 
^Twhat is said of the occasion when the House of HepresenUtives 

met to decide? How many J«^,^^« 1\^;^,,^^^^^^^^ was i.erefore de- 

Gen. Jackson ? How many had Mr. Crawtord f >vno 

clared to be chosen ? , Wlnt is «;aid of the country 

4. Was Mr. Adams popular as a President ? What is said oi uie ^ : 



142 child's history 

(luring his administration? What of peace with other nations ? What of 
the national debt ? What of canals and rail-roads ? 

5. When did Gen. La Fayette visit the United States ? What is said of 
him during the war of the revolution ? How was he received during his 
visit ? What did Congress do for him ? What is said of this gift ? When 
did he return home ? In what way ? 

G. For what was the year 1825 distinguished ? How long is the Erie 
Canal ? What does it connect ? When was it begun ? When did the 
first boat from Lake Erie reach JNTew-York ? What was the expense of 
this canal ? 

7. What remarkable event took place July 4th, 182G ? How long was 
this from the year Independence was declared ? 

8. In what year did a new election for President take place ? Who 
were the candidates ? What is meant by electors ? Whom did the 
electors choose ? How many votes had Gen. Jackson ? How many had 
Mr. Adams ? 

9. When was Gen. Jackson sworn into office ? When will his term of 
office expire ? What is thought of his being re-elected ? Who besides 
him are candidates ? 



STORY. 

1. I have told you of the visit which La Fayette made 
to the people of the United States in 1825 and 1826. It 
would be pleasant to relate the wonderful adventures of 
his life. But I have not room for so long a story. I must 
content myself with telling an affecting incident, which 
took place while Fayette was passing through one of the 
w^estern states. 

9. Fayette and his company had stopped for the night 
in a small village, in which lived a white man, who was a 



OF THE UNITED STATES. 143 

trader. Levasseur, the secretary of Fayette, entered the 
shop of the trader to purchase some articles. While 
standing near the counter, an Indian entered. 

3. "Sir," said the Indian, ''some whiskey!" — at the 
same time giving the trader a ninepence. The trader, 
taking the money, told the Indian to wait till he could 
help him. After some time, the Indian asked for his 
whiskey. * You must pay for it, then,' said the trader. 
" I have given you ninepence already," said the Indian. 

4. ' You scoundrel,' said the trader violently enraged, 
' get out of my shop.' The Indian would have replied ; 
but the trader sprung over the counter, darted upon the 
Indian, and brutally pushed him out of doors. 

5. Levasseur was filled with indignation, but he had no 
time to interpose ; indeed, as he was a stranger, prudence 
forbade him. He followed the Indian, however, out of 
doors. At a short distance from the shop, he found him 
standing like a marble statue. At length, crossing his 
arms upon his breast, the Indian directed his course 
towards a creek, which at no great distance crossed the 
road. 

6. Levasseur followed. On the opposite side, the In- 
dian paused — turned — clenched his hands — raised them — 
and at the same time directed his eyes towards Heaven, 



I 

t 
144 child's history 

and seemed to say, " Have the white people any God ? 
will his vengeance sleep ? will he never take pity on the 
poor Indians ?" 

7. Upon this, he again directed his course towards the 
forest, in the shades of which and the obscurity of night, 
he was soon lost. 

8. ' Ah !' said Levasseur * poor Indians ! you are 
tempted by white men to purchase poison, and when you 
are willing to purchase it, you are cheated, robbed, beaten, 
and turned out of doors. White men call you savages ; 
but are they not more savage than you]?' 

9. My pupils will allow me to give them a word of ad- 
vice. You will soon become men. You will spread 
through the land. You may meet with the ' red men' of 
the forest. Treat them kindly, for they have souls as 
well as you. They were once owners of the land in which 
you dwell. They are dwindling away. Their bravest 
warriors are no more. Their boldest hunters are dead. 
The miserable remnants of their tribes should be fostered— 
taught the arts of civilized life — told of the Bible — of the 
Son of God — of Heaven, and how they may secure it. 
This may be done ; but it must be done soon, or the only 
season will have for ever passed away. 



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